Since forces can merge into one at very high energies (e.g. electroweak is the unification of electromagnetism and the weak force, GUT is a hypothetical unification of electromagnetism, weak, and strong force), could one of the fundamental forces split into multiple forces at very low energies (like how the electroweak force split into electromagnetism and the weak force as the universe cooled down)? I assume not, since there have been experiments done very close to absolute zero and there aren’t any big news about new forces being discovered.

Also, could it be possible that a hidden fifth fundamental force exists in the universe? If it existed, how would we detect it? How many fundamental forces could exist in the universe? Which of the four fundamental forces most closely align with “the Force” from Star Wars? Why is gravity “incompatible” with quantum mechanics? Why were the weak force and strong force so uncreatively named? Why are “W” and “Z” bosons called the way they are? Why not something like “weak boson” and “zero boson”, why the letters? Why is the graviton so difficult to detect when we have already found gravitational waves?

    • sbird@sopuli.xyzOP
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      1 day ago

      Could it be possible that the absence of mass is what drives gravity? (probably not, but it’s cool to think about)