Weak nuclear force

The weak nuclear force, also known as the weak interaction, is one of the forces of nature. It is responsible for radioactive decay, specifically beta decay, and plays a crucial role in nuclear fusion within stars. Unlike the strong nuclear force which holds nucleons (protons and neutrons) together, the weak force primarily affects quarks and leptons (like electrons and neutrinos). It's significantly weaker than the strong force and the electromagnetic force, and its effects are only noticeable at extremely short, subatomic distances.