What is the weak nuclear force

It is responsible for reactions inside the nucleus. The force that binds atoms together is primarily due to electrostatic forces. The difference between the strong and weak nuclear forces is that the strong nuclear force keeps protons from repelling each other, while the weak nuclear force is responsible for beta decay and the transmutation of quarks into other subatomic particles. In summary, the weak nuclear force is not responsible for binding atoms together, but rather for reactions inside the nucleus and beta decay.
  • #1
clm321
58
0
is the weak nuclear force what binds atoms together to make molecules?
 
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  • #2
No. The weak nuclear force is responsible for reactions that occur inside the nucleus. What 'binds' atoms together to form molecules is largely decided by the electrostatic forces.
 
  • #3
so what is the difference between strong and weak nuclear force
 
  • #4
The strong nuclear force is responsible for keeping the protons of a nucleus from repelling each other and flying apart since like charges repel. The weak nuclear force is is the force which mitigates beta decay, the transmutation of quarks into other sub atomic particles via massive W & Z bosons. Check out Feynman diagrams relating to beta decay and it will easily show you how a proton becomes a neutron via this process. Hope that helps.

Joe
 

What is the weak nuclear force?

The weak nuclear force is one of the four fundamental forces of nature, along with gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong nuclear force. It is responsible for certain types of radioactive decay and plays a crucial role in nuclear reactions.

How does the weak nuclear force differ from the other fundamental forces?

The weak nuclear force is significantly weaker than the other three fundamental forces and only operates at very short distances, specifically within the nucleus of an atom. It is also the only fundamental force that can change one type of particle into another.

What are the particles that mediate the weak nuclear force?

The weak nuclear force is mediated by three particles: the W+, W-, and Z bosons. These particles are responsible for the exchange of the weak nuclear force between particles.

What are the main effects of the weak nuclear force?

The main effects of the weak nuclear force include beta decay, where a neutron decays into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino, and inverse beta decay, where a proton decays into a neutron, a positron, and a neutrino. It also plays a role in nuclear fusion and fission reactions.

How was the weak nuclear force discovered?

The weak nuclear force was first theorized by physicists Enrico Fermi and Werner Heisenberg in the 1930s. Its existence was confirmed in the 1950s through experiments involving beta decay and later through the discovery of the W and Z bosons in the 1980s.

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