A groundbreaking new theory developed by researchers at Aalto University in Finland could bring scientists closer to a “theory of everything”—a long-sought understanding that unifies all the fundamental forces of nature.
For decades, physicists have struggled to combine gravity with the three other basic forces: electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force, and the weak nuclear force.
Now, researchers Mikko Partanen and Jukka Tulkki believe they have found a way to describe gravity that fits neatly with the standard model of particle physics.
Gravity has always been the odd one out in physics.
While the standard model of particle physics successfully explains the three other forces, gravity has remained incompatible with the model’s principles.
This is because gravity is described by Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which operates on a vastly different set of principles than quantum field theory, which describes the behavior of tiny particles.
General relativity explains how massive objects like stars and planets interact with space and time, while quantum field theory deals with the unpredictable world of subatomic particles. These two theories have both been confirmed through experiments, yet they do not fit together.
Partanen and Tulkki’s new theory approaches gravity differently by treating it as a gauge theory, similar to the theories used to describe the other three forces.
In physics, a gauge theory explains how particles interact with each other through invisible fields.
For example, electromagnetism is a gauge theory where charged particles interact through an electromagnetic field. The researchers propose that gravity could work in the same way, with particles that have energy interacting through a gravitational field.
One of the major hurdles in physics has been finding a gauge theory of gravity that is compatible with the symmetries of the standard model. Partanen and Tulkki’s theory is designed to match these symmetries, making it a promising candidate for finally uniting gravity with quantum mechanics.
If proven, this could lead to incredible breakthroughs in understanding black holes, the origins of the universe, and the mysteries of dark matter.
However, the researchers acknowledge there is still work to be done. While their theory shows promise in early tests, they have yet to fully prove it.
This final step involves a process called renormalization, which is needed to eliminate infinite numbers from their calculations. So far, they have succeeded in the first stages of this process, but the more complex calculations still need to be completed.
Despite these challenges, Partanen and Tulkki remain optimistic. They have shared their findings with the scientific community, inviting other researchers to examine their work and contribute to its development.
Partanen is confident that, with time and collaboration, they will overcome these obstacles and move closer to understanding how the universe truly works.
If successful, this new theory could transform our understanding of the universe in ways we can only begin to imagine—much like Einstein’s theories did for modern technology.
From GPS to space exploration, the practical impacts of understanding gravity on a quantum level could be just as profound.
