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==Definition==
*1: a [[mathematical]] [[theory]] of fields developed by [[Einstein]] and involving [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Clark_Maxwell Maxwell]'s electromagnetic theory and Einstein's mathematical theory of [[gravitation]] as special cases.
==Description==
In [[physics]], a '''unified field theory''' (UFT), occasionally referred to as a ''uniform field theory'', is a type of field theory that allows all that is usually [[thought]] of as fundamental [[forces]] and [[elementary particles]] to be written in terms of a single field. There is no accepted ''unified field theory'', and thus it remains an open line of [[research]]. The term was coined by [[Einstein]], who attempted to unify the [[general theory of relativity]] with [[electromagnetism]]. The "theory of [[everything]]" and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Unified_Theory Grand Unified Theory] are closely related to unified field theory, but differ by not requiring the basis of [[nature]] to be fields, and often by attempting to explain [[physical]] constants of [[nature]].
This article describes unified field theory as it is currently understood in connection with [[quantum theory]]. Earlier attempts based on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics_in_the_Classical_Limit classical physics] are described in the article on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_unified_field_theories classical unified field theories].
There may be no [[a priori]] reason why the correct [[description]] of nature has to be a ''unified field theory''. However, this goal has led to a great deal of [[progress]] in modern theoretical [[physics]] and continues to [[motivate]] research.
According to the current [[understanding]] of [[physics]], [[forces]] are not transmitted directly between objects, but instead are described by intermediary entities called fields. All four of the known fundamental forces are mediated by fields, which in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Model Standard Model] of particle physics result from exchange of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauge_boson gauge bosons]. Specifically the four [[interactions]] to be unified are:
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strong_interaction Strong interaction]: the interaction responsible for holding [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarks quarks] together to form neutrons and protons, and holding neutrons and protons together to form nuclei. The exchange particle that mediates this force is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluon gluon].
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_interaction Electromagnetic interaction]: the familiar [[interaction]] that acts on electrically charged [[particles]]. The photon is the exchange particle for this force.
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weak_interaction Weak interaction]: a repulsive short-range interaction responsible for some forms of [[radioactivity]], that acts on [[electrons]], neutrinos, and quarks. It is governed by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W_and_Z_bosons W and Z bosons].
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_interaction Gravitational interaction]: a long-range [[attractive]] interaction that acts on all [[particles]]. The postulated exchange particle has been named the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graviton graviton].
Modern unified field theory attempts to bring these four interactions together into a single framework.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Force_Theory]
[[Category: Physics]]
==Definition==
*1: a [[mathematical]] [[theory]] of fields developed by [[Einstein]] and involving [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Clark_Maxwell Maxwell]'s electromagnetic theory and Einstein's mathematical theory of [[gravitation]] as special cases.
==Description==
In [[physics]], a '''unified field theory''' (UFT), occasionally referred to as a ''uniform field theory'', is a type of field theory that allows all that is usually [[thought]] of as fundamental [[forces]] and [[elementary particles]] to be written in terms of a single field. There is no accepted ''unified field theory'', and thus it remains an open line of [[research]]. The term was coined by [[Einstein]], who attempted to unify the [[general theory of relativity]] with [[electromagnetism]]. The "theory of [[everything]]" and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Unified_Theory Grand Unified Theory] are closely related to unified field theory, but differ by not requiring the basis of [[nature]] to be fields, and often by attempting to explain [[physical]] constants of [[nature]].
This article describes unified field theory as it is currently understood in connection with [[quantum theory]]. Earlier attempts based on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics_in_the_Classical_Limit classical physics] are described in the article on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_unified_field_theories classical unified field theories].
There may be no [[a priori]] reason why the correct [[description]] of nature has to be a ''unified field theory''. However, this goal has led to a great deal of [[progress]] in modern theoretical [[physics]] and continues to [[motivate]] research.
According to the current [[understanding]] of [[physics]], [[forces]] are not transmitted directly between objects, but instead are described by intermediary entities called fields. All four of the known fundamental forces are mediated by fields, which in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Model Standard Model] of particle physics result from exchange of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauge_boson gauge bosons]. Specifically the four [[interactions]] to be unified are:
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strong_interaction Strong interaction]: the interaction responsible for holding [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarks quarks] together to form neutrons and protons, and holding neutrons and protons together to form nuclei. The exchange particle that mediates this force is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluon gluon].
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_interaction Electromagnetic interaction]: the familiar [[interaction]] that acts on electrically charged [[particles]]. The photon is the exchange particle for this force.
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weak_interaction Weak interaction]: a repulsive short-range interaction responsible for some forms of [[radioactivity]], that acts on [[electrons]], neutrinos, and quarks. It is governed by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W_and_Z_bosons W and Z bosons].
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_interaction Gravitational interaction]: a long-range [[attractive]] interaction that acts on all [[particles]]. The postulated exchange particle has been named the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graviton graviton].
Modern unified field theory attempts to bring these four interactions together into a single framework.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Force_Theory]
[[Category: Physics]]
