unified field theory
Physics' grand unification
Unified field theory is a theoretical framework in physics that would explain all fundamental forces of nature—gravity, electromagnetism, and nuclear forces—as manifestations of a single underlying field.
Einstein spent his final decades pursuing such a theory without success.
The term sometimes appears figuratively for any grand synthesis: He's searching for a unified field theory of American politics.
Subatomic binding interaction
- weak forceFundamental interaction causing radioactive decay
- electromagnetismForce linking charge and magnetism
- gravityMutual mass attraction
- standard modelAccepted reference framework
particle physics · Higgs boson · supersymmetry · bosons · fermions · fundamental forces · interaction
Loud explosive noise
- dark energyForce accelerating universal expansion
- dark matterLightless cosmic mass
- inflationSustained price level increase
- singularityPoint where values explode
black hole · entropy · multiverse · universe · spacetime · origin · primordial
Theory merging spacetime and subatomic physics
- superstringOne-dimensional theoretical entity
- quantizationConversion to discrete values
- quantum mechanicsPhysics at nanoscopic scales
- wave functionQuantum system's complete description
Gravity as curved spacetime
- special relativityTheory uniting space, time
- gravitationMutual pull between masses
- spacetimeMerged dimensional framework
- covarianceJoint deviation measure
Complete, undivided state
- interconnectednessState of mutual linkage
- reductionismExplaining wholes through parts
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
- completenessState of being whole
totality · synthesis · convergence · holism · coherence · oneness
strong force
Subatomic binding interaction
- weak forceFundamental interaction causing radioactive decay
- electromagnetismForce linking charge and magnetism
- gravityMutual mass attraction
standard model · particle physics · Higgs boson · supersymmetry · bosons · fermions · fundamental forces · interaction
big bang
Loud explosive noise
- dark energyForce accelerating universal expansion
- dark matterLightless cosmic mass
- inflationSustained price level increase
singularity · black hole · entropy · multiverse · universe · spacetime · origin · primordial
quantum gravity
Theory merging spacetime and subatomic physics
- superstringOne-dimensional theoretical entity
- quantizationConversion to discrete values
- quantum mechanicsPhysics at nanoscopic scales
wave function · uncertainty · entanglement · graviton · extra dimensions
general relativity
Gravity as curved spacetime
- special relativityTheory uniting space, time
- gravitationMutual pull between masses
- spacetimeMerged dimensional framework
wholeness
Complete, undivided state
- interconnectednessState of mutual linkage
- reductionismExplaining wholes through parts
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
completeness · totality · synthesis · convergence · holism · coherence · oneness
- EinsteinE=mc2, relativity, general relativity, special relativity, physics
- Einstein's theoriesspecial relativity, general relativity, E=mc2, time dilation, spacetime
- pseudosciencehomeopathy, astrology, phrenology, numerology, palmistry
- scientific theoriesevolution, general relativity, relativity, plate tectonics, special relativity
- theoretical sciencephysics, mathematics, quantum mechanics, relativity, cosmology
- physicsphysics, momentum, atom, acceleration, gravity