Why should the four forces be equal in strength?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the question of why the four fundamental forces of nature might be considered equal in strength, particularly in the context of their origins and relationships. Participants explore theoretical implications, historical perspectives, and the nature of gravity compared to other forces.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that all four forces were once unified and derived from a single force during the early universe.
  • Others argue that gravity is significantly weaker than electromagnetism and question the assertion that the forces should be equal.
  • There is a concern expressed about the disparity in strength between gravity and the other forces, with some participants noting that three forces are comparable while gravity is vastly weaker.
  • One participant proposes that the discussion may relate to the idea of forces being equal in a past epoch due to super-symmetry, though this is contested.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that the unification of forces is a goal in physics, implying that they might approach equal strength under certain conditions.
  • A participant raises a question about the classification of gravity as a force, suggesting it may be an emergent phenomenon related to space-time interactions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the forces should be considered equal, with some asserting that gravity's weakness is a significant issue while others propose that the forces could have been equal in the early universe. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the nature of forces, the implications of their strengths, and the historical context of their unification. The discussion touches on complex concepts such as super-symmetry and the emergent nature of gravity without reaching a consensus.

Quantum321
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Physicists believe at one time there was only one force. As the BB cooled the four forces we know today are derived from that one force. Why must the four forces all be equal?
 
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Why do you say they are equal? Gravitation is many orders of magnitude weaker than electromagnetism.
 
This is the problem. Physicists wonder why gravity is so much weaker than the other forces..this implies they think all the forces should be the same
 
They don't have to be equal, but it looks odd that three are comparable (and, on a dimensionless scale, close to 1), and the fourth one is a factor 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000 weaker than the others. It would be nice to find some reason for that.
 
Perhaps the OP is referring to why in a past epoch the four forces were assumed have been equal.
 
I think mfb is right. The question is why is gravity so weak regardless of the strength of the other forces.
 
cosmik debris said:
Perhaps the OP is referring to why in a past epoch the four forces were assumed have been equal.
Isn't that because they were super-symmetrical in the early universe?
 
This has nothing to do with supersymmetry.
 
Because physicists want to unify the forces. Who knows if this is actually possible. If all the forces come together at some point, then they ought to approach the same strength as they approach that point.
 
  • #10
Why is gravity considered a force? Gravity appears to be emergent and a consequence of space~time interaction. As mass and space interact what appears to be gravity is the action of mass slowing time in space... I think this is Einstein's theories interpretation.
 

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