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strong force and weak force |
The Strong Nuclear Force (also
referred to as the strong force) is one of the four basic forces in
nature (the others being gravity, the electromagnetic force, and the
weak nuclear force). As its name implies, it is the strongest of the
four. However, it also has the shortest range, meaning that particles
must be extremely close before its effects are felt. Its main job is to
hold together the subatomic particles of the nucleus (protons, which
carry a positive charge, and neutrons, which carry no charge. These
particles are collectively called nucleons). As most people learn in
their science education, like charges repel (+ +, or - -), and unlike
charges attract (+ -). Weak - The weak interaction (often called the weak force or sometimes the weak nuclear force) is one of the four fundamental interactions of nature. Its most familiar effect is beta decay (of neutrons in atomic nuclei) and the associated radioactivity. The word weak derives from the fact that the typical field strength is 10^-13 the strength of the strong force. In detail the weak interaction is the only interaction capable of changing quark flavor and is due to the exchange of heavy W and Z bosons. |