The Theory of Everything
The long range goal of physics is to unify all the
forces, so that gravity would be combined with the future version
of the Grand Unified Theory. Then the gravitational interaction
would be thought of as quantized, like the other forces, so that
the gravitational force is transmitted by particles called gravitons.
This poses a formidable problem. Einstein showed us that the gravitational
force arises due to curvature in the fabric of spacetime. Thus,
the task is to quantize spacetime to produce the desired gravitons.
Achieving this type of quantum field theory is quite a challenge
both conceptually and mathematically.
The ATLAS Experiment may guide us toward a Grand Unified Theory,
so that ultimately humankind will understand a complete, unified
Theory of Everything.
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