One of the four fundamental forces of nature, weaker than the strong force and the electromagnetic force. It is important only in the decay of certain elementary particles.
This force is carried by heavy particles known as the W-boson and the Z-boson. The most common manifestation of this force is beta decay, in which a neutron in a nucleus is transformed into a proton, by emitting an electron and a neutrino.
A short-range nuclear force responsible for radioactivity and the decay of certain atomic nuclei.
(physics) an interaction between elementary particles involving neutrinos or antineutrinos that is responsible for certain kinds of radioactive decay; mediated by intermediate vector bosons
The second weakest of the four fundamental forces, with a very short range. It affects all matter particles, but not force-carrying particles.
The nuclear force involved in radioactive decay. The weak force is characterized by the slow rate of certain nuclear reactions such as the decay of the neutron, which occur with a half-life of 11 min.
One of the four fundamental forces, best known for mediating radioactive decay. [G99
The force that governs the change of one kind of elementary particle into another.
