In particle physics, the weak interaction is the mechanism of subatomic interactions that is responsible for the radioactive decay of atoms. The weak interaction also plays an important role in nuclear fusion and beta decay. It is one of the four known fundamental interactions, with the other three being electromagnetism, gravity, and strong interaction.
The Standard Model of particle physics predicts that there are two kinds of weak interactions: vector boson exchange (or W-boson exchange) and Higgs boson exchange (or Higgs field coupling). In W-boson exchange, a charged W boson is exchanged between particles; in Higgs field coupling, a virtual Higgs particle mediates the interaction between particles.
Weak interactions are generally much weaker than other kinds of forces like electromagnetism or gravity. For example, while electromagnetic forces can hold together atoms to form molecules (as in water), it takes much stronger nuclear forces to hold together protons and neutrons inside an atom’s nucleus. Similarly, while gravity can keep planets orbiting around stars or galaxies held together by their mutual gravitational attraction), it takes far stronger nuclear forces to compress hydrogen gas enough so that fusion can occur inside stars to produce heavier elements like carbon or oxygen.
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