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From ancient gravity to quantum fields: classic theories that reshape the history of science!
In the long history of science, the concept of gravity has evolved along with the history of human civilization. In the 20th century, the proposal of quantum field theory (QFT) provided us with a new perspective on understanding nature. From Newton's law of universal gravitation to Maxwell's electromagnetic field equations to today's quantum field theory, scientists continue to explore the microscopic nature behind things and gradually decipher the mysteries of the universe.
Quantum field theory is a groundbreaking framework that combines classical field theory, relativity and quantum mechanics.
The origins of quantum field theory date back to the 1920s, when theoretical physicists began studying the interaction between light and electrons. Among them, quantum electrodynamics (QED), as the first quantum field theory, laid the foundation for the development of quantum fields. However, with continued in-depth research, scientists discovered infinite numerical problems in perturbation calculations, which were only solved in the renormalization program in the 1950s. In addition, early quantum field theory failed to fully describe weak and strong interactions, and some theorists called for the abandonment of field theoretical methods.
The development of quantum field theory is accompanied by many challenges, but it also promotes our in-depth understanding of the microscopic world.
As the 1960s dawned, quantum field theory regained the spotlight in the theoretical physics community. Through the development of gauge theory and the completion of the standard model, quantum field theory has been revitalized and has achieved great success in the physical properties of elementary particles. It is this theory that allows us to describe the complex interactions and changes between particles in the microscopic world.
The foundation of quantum field theory lies in the redefinition of fields. From the perspective of universal gravitation in Newton's era, scientists once believed that the interaction between particles was transmitted through "instantaneous action." With the completion of Maxwell's equations, the concepts of electric and magnetic fields were gradually confirmed, which made scientists begin to realize that the fields themselves are more universal and independent. At the same time, the quantum mechanics revolution in the early 20th century enabled us to understand the close connection between elementary particles and fields.
The study of electromagnetic fields reveals the nature of fields, and the behavior of light and electrons leads physicists to new understandings.
The Dirac equation proposed by the famous physicist Barak Dirac in 1928 provided theoretical support for the relativistic description of electrons and opened a new chapter in microscopic particle theory. However, this theory also implies the existence of negative energy states, which has puzzled scientists. This conundrum subsequently led physicists to propose the concept of antimatter.
Today's Standard Model provides us with a comprehensive understanding of elementary particles and applies quantum field theory to a variety of phenomena, including weak and strong interactions. With the continuous revision and development of the theory, quantum field theory is still an important theoretical pillar in the physics community today. Its breakthrough in renormalization technology has promoted in-depth research on the behavior of microscopic particles and their interactions, opening up the road to deeper scientific exploration.
Through in-depth research on quantum field theory, we have not only re-understood the nature of elementary particles, but also explored the fundamental laws of the universe.
However, the development of quantum field theory still faces challenges, such as non-renormalizability and other issues that need to be further solved. By understanding non-renormalization theory and its impact, we may be able to reveal more mysteries of microscopic phenomena. In the future, with the advancement of science and technology and the deepening of research, will there be new theories that will lead us to a higher level of understanding, thereby reshaping our basic understanding of the universe?
