ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

W and Z bosons

W and Z bosons are like tiny particles that are always rushing around inside atoms. They help carry a force called the weak force, which is one of the 4 fundamental forces in nature (the others are gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong force).

Think of a game of catch with your friend, where you are throwing a ball back and forth. The W and Z bosons are similar to the ball, they are exchanged between particles during a process called weak interaction.

W bosons come in 2 types - positive and negative. They help in the process of turning one type of particle into another. For example, a neutron (which has no charge) can turn into a proton (which has a positive charge) by emitting a W- boson.

Z bosons, on the other hand, don't have any charge - they are neutral particles. They help in the process of exchanging momentum between particles. For example, if two protons collide, they will exchange a Z boson, which helps to transfer momentum between the particles.

Overall, W and Z bosons play an important role in our understanding of the atomic and subatomic world. They help explain how particles interact with each other and ultimately shape our understanding of the universe.