| 1. | electroweak theory. |
| 2. | any field theory, esp. Einstein's, that attempts to combine the gravitational and electromagnetic fields in a single mathematical framework, thus extending the general theory of relativity. |
| u·ni·fied field theory (yōō'nə-fīd') n. A physical theory that combines the treatment of two or more types of fields in order to deduce previously unrecognized interrelationships, especially such a theory unifying the theories of nuclear, electromagnetic, and gravitational forces. |
Any theory in which two seemingly different forces are seen to be fundamentally identical. Maxwell's equations express a unified field theory that demonstrates the basic identity of electricity and magnetism, and the standard model postulates a basic identity for the strong force, the weak force, and electromagnetism.
unified field theory  (y 'nə-fīd') Pronunciation Key
A theory that explains the four basic forces of nature (electromagnetism, gravity, strong force, and weak force) as manifestations of a single physical principle. No unified field theory that has been proposed so far has gained broad acceptance. Also called grand unified theory, theory of everything. |