The Truth About the Short Range of the Weak Nuclear Force: It's Not Quantum Mechanics
2025-01-15
A long-standing misconception attributes the short range of the weak nuclear force to the uncertainty principle and virtual particles in quantum mechanics. This article argues that the short range is actually due to the inherent 'stiffness' of the field itself. This 'stiffness' makes it more energetically costly to change the field's value, thus limiting the force's range. While quantum mechanics explains the mass of the W and Z bosons associated with the weak force, this is unrelated to the force's short range. The author uses analogies and mathematical derivations to clearly explain how 'stiffness' leads to both short-range forces and particle mass, correcting a long-held misunderstanding.
Physics
weak nuclear force