How are the weak nuclear force and the EM force actually the same thing?

Question

I know that electroweak theory is a thing, but how does it work? How are nuclear decays caused by EM forces?

In: 17

Answer 1

I think you’re misunderstanding. EM and Weak aren’t the same force, but they express themselves as a single force under high enough energies. Above those energies, EM and weak both stop existing, and are “replaced” by a new force. It’s a lot like how electricity and magnetism are two manifestations of the same force. Electricity isn’t magnetism and magnetism isn’t electricity, except when they are. Beta decay at these temperatures isn’t mediated by the electromagnetic force, because it doesn’t exist. It’s mediated by the electroweak force.