# Electroweak interaction

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"In particle physics, the electroweak interaction is the unified description of two of the four known fundamental interactions of nature: electromagnetism and the weak interaction. Although these two forces appear very different at everyday low energies, the theory models them as two different aspects of the same force. Above the unification energy, on the order of 100 GeV, they would merge into a single electroweak force. Thus if the universe is hot enough (approximately 1015 K, ... then the electromagnetic force and weak force will merge into a combined electroweak force."[1]

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## Notation

Notation: let the symbol Def. indicate that a definition is following.

Notation: let the symbols between [ and ] be replacement for that portion of a quoted text.

## Universals

To help with definitions, their meanings and intents, there is the learning resource theory of definition.

Def. evidence that demonstrates that a concept is possible is called proof of concept.

The proof-of-concept structure consists of

1. background,
2. procedures,
3. findings, and
4. interpretation.[2]

The findings demonstrate a statistically systematic change from the status quo or the control group.

## Electroweak scale

"In particle physics, the electroweak scale is the energy scale around 246 GeV, a typical energy of processes described by the electroweak theory. The particular number 246 GeV is taken to be the vacuum expectation value $v = (G_F \sqrt{2})^{-1/2}$ of the Higgs field (where $G_F$ is the Fermi coupling constant)."[3]

## Unified field theory

"According to the current understanding of physics, forces are not transmitted directly between objects, but instead are described by intermediary entities called fields. ... Weak interaction [is] a repulsive short-range interaction responsible for some forms of radioactivity, that acts on electrons, neutrinos, and quarks. It is governed by the W and Z bosons."[4]

## Neutral currents

"Weak neutral current interactions are one of the ways in which subatomic particles can interact by means of the weak force. These interactions are mediated by the Z boson. The discovery of weak neutral currents was a significant step toward the unification of electromagnetism and the weak force into the electroweak force, and led to the discovery of the W and Z bosons."[5]