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Unified field theory
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{{Short description|Field theory in physics that aims to unify the fundamental forces and particles}} {{redirect|Unified theory|the band|Unified Theory (band)}} {{Not to be confused with|Grand Unified Theory}} In [[physics]], a '''unified field theory''' ('''UFT''') is a type of [[field theory (physics)|field theory]] that allows all [[fundamental forces]] and [[elementary particle]]s to be written in terms of a single type of field. According to modern discoveries in physics, forces are not transmitted directly between interacting objects but instead are described and interpreted by intermediary entities called [[field (physics)|field]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Unified field theory {{!}} Einstein's Theory of Relativity {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/science/unified-field-theory |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Ernan McMullin |journal=Phys. Perspect. |date=2002 |volume=4|issue=1 |pages=13β39|title=The Origins of the Field Concept in Physics |url=http://physics.gmu.edu/~rubinp/courses/416/pip_fields.pdf|bibcode = 2002PhP.....4...13M |doi=10.1007/s00016-002-8357-5|s2cid=27691986 }}</ref> According to [[quantum field theory]], particles are themselves the quanta of fields. Different fields in physics include vector fields such as the [[electromagnetic field]], spinor fields whose quanta are fermionic particles such as [[electron|electrons]], and tensor fields such as the [[metric tensor (general relativity)|metric tensor field]] that describes the shape of spacetime and gives rise to gravitation in [[general relativity]]. Unified field theory attempts to organize these fields into a single mathematical structure. For over a century, unified field theory has remained an open line of research. The term was coined by [[Albert Einstein]], who attempted to unify his [[General relativity|general theory of relativity]] with [[electromagnetism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://phys.org/news/2015-11-theory-stumped-einstein-dying-day.html|title=How the search for a unified theory stumped Einstein to his dying day|website=phys.org}}</ref> Einstein attempted to create a [[classical unified field theories|classical unified field theory]], rejecting [[quantum mechanics]]. Among other difficulties, this required a new explanation of particles as singularities or solitons instead of field quanta. Later attempts to unify general relativity with other forces incorporate quantum mechanics. The concept of a "[[Theory of Everything]]"<ref name="Hawking2006">{{cite book |author=Stephen W. Hawking |title=The Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the Universe |date=28 February 2006 |publisher=Phoenix Books; Special Anniv |isbn=978-1-59777-508-3}}</ref> or [[Grand Unified Theory]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Ross |first=G. |date=1984 |title=Grand Unified Theories |publisher=[[Westview Press]] |isbn=978-0-8053-6968-7}}</ref> 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 [[Dimensionless physical constant|constants of nature]]. Grand Unified Theories do not attempt to include the gravitational force and can therefore operate entirely within quantum field theory. The goal of a unified field theory has led to significant progress in [[theoretical physics]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Goenner |first=Hubert F. M. |date=2004-12-01 |title=On the History of Unified Field Theories |journal=Living Reviews in Relativity |language=en |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=2 |doi=10.12942/lrr-2004-2 |doi-access=free |issn=1433-8351 |pmc=5256024 |pmid=28179864|bibcode=2004LRR.....7....2G }}</ref>
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