gauge boson

physics

Also known as: carrier particle, force-carrier particle, messenger particle(Show More)

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June 30, 2026

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A gauge boson is a subatomic particle that acts as a messenger, mediating fundamental forces between other particles. These bosons are characterized by integer values of their spin quantum number, distinguishing them from matter particles like quarks and leptons.1234

The electromagnetic force is carried by the photon. The weak force, responsible for certain types of radioactivity like beta decay, is mediated by three types of gauge bosons: the W⁺, W⁻, and Z⁰ particles. These W and Z particles are significantly more massive than photons, which limits the range of the weak force to extremely short distances. The electroweak theory unifies the electromagnetic and weak forces, suggesting they are different aspects of a single, more fundamental electroweak force. While a quantum theory for gravity is still under development, its hypothetical messenger particle is the graviton.21567

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subatomic particle
Finding the messenger particles
In addition to the Higgs boson, or bosons, electroweak theory also predicts the existence of an electrically neutral carrier for the weak force. This neutral carrier, called the Z⁰, should mediate the neutral current interactions—weak interactions in which electric charge is not transferred…
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In addition to the Higgs boson, or bosons, electroweak theory also predicts the existence of an electrically neutral carrier for the weak force. This neutral carrier, called the Z⁰, should mediate the neutral current interactions—weak interactions in which electric charge is not transferred…
Read More

quantum chromodynamics
…described in QED as the “force-carrier” particle that mediates or transmits the electromagnetic force. By analogy with QED, quantum chromodynamics predicts the existence of force-carrier particles called gluons, which transmit the strong force between particles of matter that carry “colour,” a form of strong “charge.” The strong force is therefore…
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…described in QED as the “force-carrier” particle that mediates or transmits the electromagnetic force. By analogy with QED, quantum chromodynamics predicts the existence of force-carrier particles called gluons, which transmit the strong force between particles of matter that carry “colour,” a form of strong “charge.” The strong force is therefore…
Read More

subatomic particle
The basic forces and their messenger particles
The previous section of this article presented an overview of the basic issues in particle physics, including the four fundamental interactions that affect all of matter. In this section the four interactions, or basic forces, are treated in greater detail. Each force is…
Read More
The previous section of this article presented an overview of the basic issues in particle physics, including the four fundamental interactions that affect all of matter. In this section the four interactions, or basic forces, are treated in greater detail. Each force is…
Read More