What are the different types of interactions in particle physics?

There are four fundamental types of interactions in particle physics: strong, weak, electromagnetic, and gravitational.

The strong interaction is the strongest of the four fundamental forces and is responsible for holding the nucleus of an atom together. It is mediated by particles called gluons, which bind quarks together to form protons and neutrons.

The weak interaction is responsible for radioactive decay and is mediated by particles called W and Z bosons. This interaction is much weaker than the strong and electromagnetic interactions.

The electromagnetic interaction is responsible for the interactions between charged particles and is mediated by photons. This interaction is responsible for the behavior of light, electricity, and magnetism.

The gravitational interaction is the weakest of the four fundamental forces and is responsible for the attraction between masses. It is mediated by particles called gravitons, although they have not yet been observed.

Understanding the different types of interactions in particle physics is crucial to understanding the behavior of matter and energy at the most fundamental level. The study of particle physics has led to many important discoveries and has contributed to our understanding of the universe.

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