When it is said that the relative strength of weak interaction is \(\ 10^{-5}\),what does this mean? On calculation I am getting \(\alpha_w=\10^{-3}\) with \(\ G_F=\ 1.16\times\ 10^{-5} \ GeV^{-2}\) I had an impression that \(\alpha_w\) should be \(\ 10^{-5}\).Which one is correct?
Remember, the number is the relative strength. Question is: relative to what? For example, to compare the relative strengths the gravitational and electromagnetic forces, you might calculate the strength of the forces between 2 electrons separated by some indicative distance - say the Bohr radius or something. Take the ratio and see what you get. Comparing other interactions is sort of similar.
Basically the confusion arose from a problem solved in Y.K.Lim.He states that the interaction strength for different interactions are: \(\frac{g^2_h}{\hbar\ c}\) for strong interaction \(\frac{e^2}{\hbar\ c}\) for EM interaction \(\frac{g^2_w}{\hbar\ c}=\frac{\ G_F\ m^2_p\ c}{\hbar^3}=\ 1.16\ 10^{-5}\ GeV^{-2}\) for weak interaction \(\frac{g^2_w}{\hbar\ c}=\frac{\ G\ m^2_p}{\hbar\ c}\) for gravitational interaction -where they have used proton as a reference.The point is that if you put the values,you will get the strength of each interaction [like weak int:\(\ 10^{-5}\) or gravitational int. is \(\ 10^{-39}\).They have not calculated any such number for strong interaction.So,I not sure if it is okay to call this as "reletive" or "absolute".
