W and Z bosons

W and Z bosons are fundamental particles in physics that mediate the weak nuclear force, one of the four fundamental forces in the universe. The weak force is responsible for processes like radioactive decay and nuclear fusion in stars. The W boson comes in two varieties, W+ and W-, and is charged, while the Z boson is neutral. Together, they play a crucial role in enabling particles to interact during weak reactions, helping to explain phenomena like why certain types of particles can transform into others in the universe, impacting everything from the sun’s energy to particle behavior in accelerators.