B What Causes Strong and Weak Forces in Our Universe?

[John Clement Husain]

What causes Strong and Weak Forces? I know that they bind certain things around in our universe but what causes them?

 

[mfb]

We don't know if there is a deeper "cause". What would that even mean?
We observe that we live in a universe where these forces exist.

 

[Fervent Freyja]

If the strong and weak interactions only apply to matter, then can't we say that the causes of the "forces" we observe are simply on account of that particular matter existing?

 

[Drakkith]

If the strong and weak interactions only apply to matter, then can't we say that the causes of the "forces" we observe are simply on account of that particular matter existing?

Not really. Trying to assign a cause and effect relationship between forces and matter is problematic, as there's no way to tell which one truly causes the other. It's a 'chicken and egg' situation in which neither have ever been shown to exist without the other. The best we can do is observe that there is a way that matter (and fields) interact. The rules by which these interactions occur lead us to group them into the four "forces" or "interactions" accordingly.

What causes Strong and Weak Forces? I know that they bind certain things around in our universe but what causes them?

The four fundamental forces are truly fundamental. There is no known underlying cause or mechanism behind them. As I explained above, we observe that matter and fields interact and the four fundamental forces of nature are our collection of rules by which we explain the universe and predict what will happen in our models. If we find something more fundamental you'll probably see it plastered on science news sites around the internet, as it would be big news.

 

[John Clement Husain]

Shouldn't we find it? we are curious creatures, after all

 

[Drakkith]

Shouldn't we find it? we are curious creatures, after all

You think we're not trying?

 

[Fervent Freyja]

You think we're not trying?

Not hard enough!