Scientists have long been looking for a unique theory that links all the forces of nature. A new geometric track relaunches this idea.
Einstein already wanted to unify gravity and electricity in a single theory. Other researchers, such as Hermann Weyl, tried to follow this path. But these attempts have never been completely convincing.
A new theory proposes to see electricity as a property of space-time itself. According to this idea, the electric and magnetic fields would be integrated into the space-time structure. This vision is based on the work of John Wheeler.
The researchers used mathematical tools to modify the Maxwell equations, which describe the electromagnetic fields. They obtained a more general version of these equations, in direct connection with the geometry space-time. These results were published in the Journal of Physics: Conference Series.
The geometry used here is that of Weyl. It is more flexible than that of Einstein. It makes it possible to interpret the electrical load as a local deformation of the space-time. This opens up a new way of understanding electric currents.
This theory has important consequences. She suggests that light and electromagnetic waves are vibrations of space-time. It also provides very rapid variations in electromagnetic fieldon the smallest known scale, called the Planck scale.
This theoretical framework could therefore bring the different forces of nature a little more in a single description. It will still take a lot of work to test and refine these ideas.
What is Weyl’s geometry?
This geometry is an extended version of the geometry used by Einstein. It allows the concept of distance changes locally in space-time.
This makes it useful to include electric and magnetic fields in a geometric description. Unlike classical geometry, it authorizes local variations of scale, which is essential to represent an electrical load.
Weyl’s geometry therefore provides a powerful framework to study fundamental interactions.
How are Maxwell equations generalized?
Conventionally, Maxwell’s equations are simple and linear. In this new approach, they become more complex, in direct connection with the form of space-time.
This generalization keeps the old equations as a particular case. It makes it possible to describe richer and more varied situations.
This shows that in theory can be explained by electromagnetism only from the geometry of space-time. Just as Einstein had done for the severity.
