Quote:
Originally Posted by sjastro
Electroweak symmetry is not a supersymmetry.
When the symmetry is broken, the massless boson or photon is formed for the electromagnetic force, where as the W and Z bosons which have mass form the weak nuclear force.
The problem with the electroweak theory is that it relies on the existence of the Higgs boson to explain why the W and Z bosons have mass.
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Ok .. but it seems in particle physics, one thing leads to another ?
Spontaneous symmetry breaking seems to be referred to as a 'framework' for introducing bosons into relativistic quantum field theories. As you say, its introduction in EW theory, then leads to the quandry of how massive particles come about. Is there any empirical evidence that EW symmetry is necessarily the rule (or Law) in particle physics? (I don't know the answer here .. this is just a straightforward knowledge seeking question ..)
Surely the hunt for Supersymmetry evidence is just another enquiry into whether symmetry can be viewed as one of the fundamental laws of nature (or not)? Ie: if there's more evidence of symmetry, then it moves closer to being a fundamental Law, applicable for EW Theory as well as everything else?
Also, its interesting, (from what Witten says), that the originally 'unwanted' multitude of massless particles generated by String Theory, turn out to be exactly what is necessary to explain mass, gravity etc. He also points out that String Theory 'forces' into existence a quantum field theory of gravity from the outset, and is the only theory which does that. (I presume he is referring to the native unification aspects of String Theory here).
Cheers