fundamental force

Scientific  

/ fŭn′də-mĕn′tl /

1. One of four forces that act between bodies of matter and that are mediated by one or more particles. In order of decreasing strength, the four fundamental forces are the strong force, the electromagnetic force, the weak force, and gravity. The particles associated with these forces, known as force carriers, are the gluon, the photon, the intermediate vector bosons (the Z boson and the W boson), and the graviton, respectively. Some scientists believe that the weak force and the electromagnetic force are both aspects of a single force called the electroweak force. Decay processes in which a subatomic particle is converted into other particles are mediated by the fundamental forces, which relate the decaying particle to the resulting particles; for example, beta decay is mediated by the weak force.

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Example Sentences

Understanding what fundamental force or particle caused such inflation is a central challenge for particle theory.

From Science Magazine

Each fundamental force carries a so-called "charge," which dictates its strength or how strongly a particle feels the force.

From Science Daily

The China Securities Journal of Beijing said improvements in China's economic expectations remained the most fundamental force in deciding the yuan's value.

From Reuters

These subatomic particles are responsible for a fundamental force at the center of atoms, and they exist for only a fraction of a second before they decay into other particles.

From Seattle Times

Yet that has not stopped them from ardently searching for an additional, as-yet-unknown fifth fundamental force.

From Scientific American