Given Electro-Weak force why state four forces.

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the classification of the four fundamental forces in physics, specifically addressing the unification of the electromagnetic and weak forces at high energies. Participants argue that despite the potential for unification, physicists continue to recognize four distinct forces due to the practical applications and historical context of these classifications. The conversation highlights the implications of Lorentz transformations, which demonstrate that electric and magnetic fields are interrelated and cannot be distinctly separated in different inertial frames. Ultimately, the consensus is that the current framework of four forces remains valid and useful for scientific discourse.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the four fundamental forces: gravitational, electromagnetic, weak, and strong forces.
  • Familiarity with the concept of force unification in high-energy physics.
  • Knowledge of Lorentz transformations and their implications in relativity.
  • Basic comprehension of the principle of relativity and inertial frames.
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  • Research the unification of forces in high-energy physics, focusing on the electroweak theory.
  • Study Lorentz transformations and their applications in modern physics.
  • Explore the implications of the principle of relativity on the understanding of electromagnetic fields.
  • Investigate the historical context of the classification of fundamental forces in physics.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of theoretical physics, and anyone interested in the foundational concepts of force unification and the principles of relativity.

hankaaron
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Since the electromagnetic and the weak force unify at high energies, why do physicist continue to count four fundamental forces? With that kind of thinking why not break symmetry with the electromagnetic force and say there are five fundamental forces?
 
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It is possible to find a unification for any pair of the four fundamental forces - which one is correct?
Basically we still count four because we still use four.

This is somewhat different from the E-M force unification, because of the way in which EM was unified.
 
hankaaron said:
With that kind of thinking why not break symmetry with the electromagnetic force and say there are five fundamental forces?
If you have only an electric field in your lab frame of reference, you can always transform to other frames of reference where a magnetic field is present by a Lorentz transform. So if one accepts that all inertial frames are on equal footing (principle of relativity), the magnetic and electric aspects of the electromagnetic force cannot be separated.
 

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