weak interaction

American  

noun

Physics.

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

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weak interaction British  

noun

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

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weak interaction Scientific  

1. See weak force

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Etymology

Origin of weak interaction

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

They placed a polymer donor next to a non fullerene acceptor with almost no energy difference and only weak interaction -- conditions that should have significantly slowed charge transfer.

From Science Daily • Mar. 6, 2026

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 • Apr. 14, 2022

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 • Jun. 6, 2019

Strangeness can change due to the weak interaction.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

The and B0 mesons are unstable particles that decay via the weak interaction.

From Nature • May 12, 2015