The “range” of a force is a measure of the distance across which it can easily be effective. Some forces, including electric and magnetic forces and gravity, are long-range, able to cause dramatic effects that can reach across rooms, planets, and even galaxies. Short-range forces tail off sharply, and are able to make a significant impact only at distances shorter than their “range”. The weak nuclear force, for instance, dies off at distances ten million times smaller than an atom! That makes its effects on atoms rather slow and rare, which is why it is called “weak”.

source: HN