How does the weak nuclear force change one type of particle into another?
Quick Answer
The weak force can change quarks into different quark types and is responsible for radioactive beta decay. It is carried by the W and Z bosons, discovered in the 1980s.
The Full Story
The weak nuclear force is unusual because it can change particle identity, such as turning a neutron into a proton during beta decay. This happens through the exchange of W and Z bosons, which were confirmed experimentally at CERN in 1983. The force is central to processes in the Sun, where it helps power the proton-proton chain that eventually produces helium. Because the weak force acts over an extremely short range, it is much weaker than electromagnetism in everyday conditions. Its role in radioactive decay also makes it essential for many dating and detector techniques in physics.
Key Facts
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