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THE FOUR FORCES AND THE PARTICLE ZOO ARE IN CHARGE

In nuclear physics and particle physics, the weak interaction, often called the weak force or weak nuclear force is the interaction mechanism between subatomic particles responsible for the radioactive decay of atoms. The weak interaction participates in nuclear fission, and the theory describing it in terms of both its behavior and effects is sometimes called quantum flavor dynamics (QFD). However, the term QFD is rarely used because the weak force is better understood in electro-weak theory (EWT).[1] The effective range of the weak force is limited to subatomic distances and is less than the diameter of a proton. It is one of the four known force-related fundamental interactions of nature, alongside strong interactionelectromagnetism, and gravitation. The Standard Model of particle physics provides a uniform framework for understanding the electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions. An interaction occurs when two particles (typically but not necessarily half-integer spin fermions) exchange integer-spin, force-carrying bosons. The fermions involved in such exchanges can be either elementary (e.g., electrons or quarks) or composite (e.g., protons or neutrons), although at the deepest levels, all weak interactions ultimately are between elementary particles. In the weak interaction, fermions can exchange three types of force carriers, namely W+, W,, and Z bosons. The masses of these bosons are far greater than the mass of a proton or neutron, which is consistent with the short range of the weak force. In fact, the force is termed weak because its field strength over a given distance is typically several orders of magnitude less than that of the strong nuclear force or electromagnetic force. Quarks, which make up composite particles like neutrons and protons, come in six “flavors” – up, down, strange, charm, top, and bottom – which give those composite particles their properties. The weak interaction is unique in that it allows quarks to swap their flavor for another. The force carrier bosons mediate the swapping of those properties. For example, during beta minus decay, a down quark within a neutron is changed into an up quark, thus converting the neutron to a proton and resulting in the emission of an electron and an electron antineutrino. COSMIC CODE: VERN BENDER      www.VERN BENDER
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