weak interaction

noun

, Physics.

1. the interaction between elementary particles and the intermediate vector bosons that carry the weak force from one particle to another.

weak interaction

noun

1. physics an interaction between elementary particles that is responsible for certain decay processes, operates at distances less than about 10 ^–15metres, and is 10 ¹²times weaker than the strong interaction. The weak interaction and electromagnetic interactions are now described by the unifying electroweak theory Also calledweak nuclear interactionweak nuclear force See interaction electroweak interaction

weak interaction

1. See weak force

Word History and Origins

Origin of weak interaction¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

While the electromagnetic force and gravity are quotidian to human interactions and everyday life, and the strong force is what binds atomic nuclei together, the weak interaction is not as overtly visible.

From Salon

The prizewinners studied weak-force interactions at high energies by creating a beam of neutrinos, which do not interact through the strong force but do so by the weak interaction.

From Washington Post

This weak interaction does not perturb the tunneling.

From Scientific American

To be clear, we are certainly not the first to connect homochirality with the weak interaction.

From Scientific American

But how did the weak interaction that was, among other things, responsible for the decay of Murray’s “strange particles” actually work?

From Scientific American