Do the fundamental forces continue to break down at lower energies?

[middistance91]

First off, I would like to apologize if I'm posting this in the wrong sub-forum.

Anyways, I'm sorry if this is an ignorant question, but I am curious as to whether the 4 fundamental forces (electricity and magnetism, gravitation, strong, and weak) would theoretically continue to break down into other forces at lower energies.

I ask this because I read that at very very very high energies they are all manifestations of the same force, and at the beginning of the universe it was like this. As the energy dissipated, gravitation broke off, then the strong nuclear, then electricity and magnetism and the weak nuclear.

Are these 4 the most that it can go, or, at low energies, can they also break down into seemingly unrelated forces.

Once again, I am sorry if this is a no-brainer.

 

[Forestman]

I am not an expert, so I might be wrong on this. But based on what I have read, if we do live in a false vacuum, and the vacuum were to decay into a lower energy vacuum then I believe that the answer would be yes. And if we didn't gain new forces I know for a fact that the values of the current forces that exist would change.

If a I wrong on this I hope that someone will correct me.

What you have asked is a very good question though.

 

[middistance91]

Thanks for the reply. I am curious as to whether our assumptions are right?

Any other input?

 

[Naty1]

Maybe Cosmology would have been better, but if someone feels strongly they'll move this...

I don't know for sure either about the four fundamental forces...I've never read anything specific...but I'd generally agree with the prior post.

In the big bang model, we gradually transition to the cold, empty state as matter density decreases, the universe expands and temperature drops as overall energy remains constant.
Total energy in the universe is constant, but it’s form is steadily evolving from a low entropy to a high entropy form. So I don'tknow of any expected change in the four forces.

We aren't even sure what caused the inflationary phase of the formation of the universe...the supposed phase transition from a high to a lower energy state fits but is not conclusive. A cyclic model also seems to make good sense...

Assumptions...models...are right when proven so by experimental verification...