In
chapter 8, the authors finally reveal their definition of “the matter myth”.
The chapter also focuses on the cosmic network, the unification of nature’s
four fundamental forces: weak nuclear force, strong nuclear force,
electromagnetism, and gravitation.
The
matter myth is the belief that the Universe is a collection of particles that
interact with each other in predetermined ways due to the nature of a Universe
similar to clockwork. This myth is fiction because of the development of recent
theories that discredit Newton’s mechanistic view of the Universe.
The
cosmic network can be described as the unification of nature’s four fundamental
forces. Although three out of four of the forces (weak nuclear force/weak
interaction, strong nuclear force/strong interaction, and electromagnetism) can
be unified, gravitational force is has not yet been added to the mixture.
(above) This is an image of examples of the four
fundamental forces of nature.
The
electromagnetic force is states that every charged particle has a field around
it that repels or attracts other charged particles. Since like charges repel,
when two positive particles are places in each other’s electromagnetic field
they move away from each other.
(above) These electromagnetic field lines show test charges
(positive) being attracted towards the negative particle and repelling away
from the positive particle.
The
weak nuclear force is involved with holding together the form of an atom. It is
also responsible of radioactive decay. The strong nuclear force is responsible
for holding together quarks, resulting in the formation of protons and neutrons.
Bibliography
Davies, Paul, and John Gribbin. The Matter Myth. New York: Orion Productions, 1992. Print
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