Does weak nuclear force cause radioactivity?

Question

Hailey Alvarez · Accepted Answer

The weak nuclear force is responsible for only the beta decay form of radioactivity.

Radioactivity comes in three flavors: gamma, beta, and alpha. An alpha particle is a Helium nucleus made up of two protons and two neutrons. Unstable nuclei can emit an alpha particle by a quantum tunnelling effect which allows the repulsive electromagnetic force to overcome the strong nuclear force. Alpha decay only happens in heavier elements which give up energy when the nucleus is divided. In actuality, since a proton is made up of two up quarks and a down quark, and a neutron is made up of two down quarks and an up quark, beta decay is the process by which a neutron becomes a proton by emitting an electron or a proton becomes a neutron by emitting a positron. The weak nuclear force is mediated by the W bosons. To turn a neutron into a proton: #d rarr u + W^-# and #W^(-) rarr e^(-) + bar nu _e# When the nucleus is in an excited state, gamma decay typically occurs after alpha or beta decay. A high energy photon, known as a gamma ray, is released to return the nucleus to its ground state.

Nova Adams · Answer

undefined In particular, beta decay is one form of radioactivity that is caused by the weak nuclear force.