Force carriers of the Standard Model
Gauge bosons are integer-spin particles responsible for mediating the fundamental interactions.
| Force | Gauge Boson | Symbol | Mass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electromagnetic | Photon | γ | 0 |
| Weak | W Boson | W⁺, W⁻ | 80.4 GeV |
| Weak | Z Boson | Z⁰ | 91.2 GeV |
| Strong | Gluon | g | 0 |
The interaction strength is governed by the exchange of virtual gauge bosons. For example, the electromagnetic coupling constant is