How does the weak nuclear force change one particle into another?
Quick Answer
The weak force can change the type of quark inside a particle, which is why it can turn a neutron into a proton. It is responsible for beta decay and some forms of radioactivity.
The Full Story
The weak nuclear force is one of the four fundamental forces and acts at very short distances inside particles. It can change one kind of quark into another, allowing a neutron to decay into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino. This process is called beta decay and is important in nuclear physics and radioactive dating. The weak force is also involved in the nuclear reactions that power the Sun and other stars. It was unified with electromagnetism in the electroweak theory developed in the 20th century.
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