Quantum Field Theory: A Treatise On Electricity And Magnetism

Quantum Field Theory

In 1864, James Clerk Maxwell revolutionized physics by publishing A Treatise On Electricity And Magnetism (James C. Maxwell, Bio.com), in which his equations described, for the first time, the unified force of electromagnetism (Stewart, Maxwell’s Equations), and how the force would influence objects in the area around it (Dine, Quantum Field Theory). Along with other laws such as Newton’s Law Of Gravitation, it formed the area of physics called classical field theory (Classical Field Theory, Wikipedia). However, over the next century, quantum mechanics were developed, leading to the realization that classical field theory, though thoroughly accurate on a macroscopic scale, simply would not work at a quantum, or subatomic scale, due to the extremely different behaviour of elementary particles. Scientists began developing a new ideas that would describe the behaviour of subatomic particles when subjected to the fundamental forces (QFT, Columbia Electronic Dictionary)(QFT, Britannica School). Einstein’s theory of special relativity, which states that the speed of light is always constant and as a result, both space and time are, in contrary, relative, was combined into this new theory, allowing for accurate descriptions of elementary

However, unlike QED, the reactions of quarks caused by the strong nuclear force are confined to within the particle composed of those quarks (TOE, 21st Century Science) (QFT, Britannica School). The weak nuclear force, though possessing a theory called quantum flavordynamics, with force carriers named the W and Z particles, is now usually combined with electromagnetism to form the electroweak force (Electroweak force, Britannica