Question

What does the weak force do?

Answer 1

The weak force mediates radioactive decay.

Explanation:

The weak W bosons mediate the conversion of a proton into a neutron or vice versa. A neutron consists of an up quark and two down quarks. A proton consists of two up quarks and a down quark.

To convert a neutron into a proton a down quark must be converted into an up quark and a `W^-` boson. The `W^-` decays into an electron and an electron anti neutrino.

`d rarr u + W^-`
`W^(-) rarr e^(-) + bar nu_e`

A proton gets converted into a neutron by via the `W^+` boson.

`u rarr d + W^+`
`W^+ rarr e^+ + nu_e`

Similar processes occur with heavier strange, charm, top and bottom quarks.