High School Why should the four forces be equal in strength?

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Physicists theorize that all four fundamental forces originated from a single force during the early universe, raising questions about their current unequal strengths. Gravity is significantly weaker than electromagnetism and the strong and weak nuclear forces, leading to speculation about why this disparity exists. While some argue that the forces need not be equal, the stark contrast in their strengths prompts discussions about potential unification. The concept of super-symmetry is mentioned, but the focus remains on understanding gravity's relative weakness. Ultimately, the quest for a unified theory continues, as physicists seek to explain the fundamental nature of these forces.
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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.
 
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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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