intermediate vector boson
–noun Physics. | one of the three particles that are believed to transmit the weak force: the positively charged W particle, the negatively charged W particle, and the neutral Z0 particle. |
Origin: 1965–70
vector boson
n. Any of the elementary particles that mediate one of the four fundamental forces. The particles and their corresponding forces are the photon and the electromagnetic force, the graviton and the gravitational force, the intermediate vector boson and the weak interaction, and the gluon and the strong interaction. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Science Dictionary
intermediate vector boson
Either of two subatomic particles, the W boson or the Z boson, that mediate the weak nuclear force.
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vector boson
One of the four subatomic particles that mediate the four fundamental forces. The particles and their corresponding forces are: the photon and the electromagnetic force, the graviton and the gravitational force, the intermediate vector boson and the weak nuclear force, and the gluon and the strong nuclear force. The graviton has yet to be isolated in an experiment.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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