weak force

noun

, Physics.

1. a force between elementary particles that causes certain processes that take place with low probability, as radioactive beta-decay and collisions between neutrinos and other particles.

weak force

/ wēk /

1. The fundamental force that acts between leptons and is involved in the decay of hadrons. The weak nuclear force is responsible for nuclear beta decay (by changing the flavor of quarks) and for neutrino absorption and emission. It is mediated by the intermediate vector bosons (the W boson and the Z boson), and is weaker than the strong nuclear force and the electromagnetic force but stronger than gravity. Some scientists believe that the weak nuclear force and the electromagnetic force are both aspects of a single force called the electroweak force.
2. Also called weak nuclear force weak interaction
3. Compare electromagnetic force

weak force

1. One of the four fundamental forces of nature. It is involved primarily in the phenomenon of radioactivity . ( See standard model and strong force .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of weak force¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

The weak force is a little more complicated than we let on earlier.

From Quanta Magazine

Justice Souter, whom Sotomayor would replace, had an equally fine c.v., but turned out to be a weak force on the High Court.

From The Daily Beast

Apparently it was too heavy for the weak force activating the cylinders.

From Project Gutenberg

But it had been dearly bought, and their leader saw plainly that he could not succeed in that savage land with such a weak force.

From Project Gutenberg

To defeat such an enormous force as this, a European expedition was necessary, not the weak force at Gordon's disposal.

From Project Gutenberg

It must not be supposed that the whisper is always associated with moderate or with weak force as in the preceding examples.

From Project Gutenberg

This is an operation too difficult for a weak force to accomplish.

From Project Gutenberg