How does the W boson mediate force in beta decay?

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Daniel Wqw
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I really want to understand the answer to this question.
Q: What is an exchange particle?
A: A virtual particle that let's force act between particles in an interaction.
This answer was given in my A-Level textbook but I can't for the life of me decode what it means. For example in beta minus decay (feynman diagram given below) the exchange particle is the W- boson. But how does the W- boson let force act between the particles in this interaction.
I would be grateful for any response but please bear in mind that I am an A-Level physics student (british high school) so am likely not to understand anything too complicated. Thanks!
Feynman3.png
 

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I would say it would be more appropriate to say that it is a virtual particle which allows other particles to interact and exchange momentum and/or energy. The concept of force seemingly refers back to a more classical setting while virtuality itself is a QM concept.

The main thing here is that the exchange particle can be virtual, which mens that its energy and momentum do not follow the classically allowed.
 
"force" because it changes the momentum...in a "word-misuse" context...