What are the different forces that can contribute to particle decay processes?

[Islam Hassan]

What drives particle decay? Is it an elementary, irreducible observation or can we model it based on a set of observable variables?

Do all particle decay modes involve the weak force? Does one even need the intervention of a given force to have particle decay?

Does string theory explain decay in terms of things like string tension, oscillation, etc?

IH

 

[mathman]

Beta decay (and related processes) are governed by the weak force. Alpha decay and fission are strong plus em force results.