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Introduction

# Electroweak

Knot Physics uses a geometric model of fermions to explain the relationship between electromagnetism and weak force.

Background

## Electroweak in the Standard Model

In the Standard Model, electroweak force is a unification of two forces: electromagnetism and weak force.

ELECTROMAGNETISM

Electromagnetism describes the behavior of the electromagnetic field and charged particles. Changes to the electromagnetic field are propagated by photons, which are massless bosons.

WEAK FORCE

Weak force describes fermion interactions that occur through massive W and Z bosons. For example, a muon ($$\mu^-$$) can decay to a mu neutrino ($$\nu_\mu$$) and a W boson. The W boson then decays to an electron ($$e^-$$) and an electron antineutrino ( $$\overline{\nu_e}$$ ). The charge of the muon is carried by the W boson to the electron in the decay process.

## Knot Physics

In Knot Physics, electroweak unification is a consequence of including knot geometry in the description of the electromagnetic field.

### 1. Electromagnetism

SPACETIME HAS AN ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD.

In Knot Physics, spacetime is inside of a larger space. There is an electromagnetic field that is defined on every point of spacetime but not elsewhere in the larger space. Changes to the electromagnetic field propagate as photons.

More detail: The spacetime manifold $$M$$ is a 4-dimensional manifold embedded in a 6-dimensional Minkowski space. Both Knot Physics and the Standard Model have an electromagnetic potential $$A^\nu$$ and a corresponding electromagnetic field tensor $$F^{\mu\nu} = A^{\nu,\mu} - A^{\mu,\nu}$$ . In both cases the action is proportional to $$F^{\mu\nu}F_{\mu\nu}$$.

FERMIONS ARE KNOTS IN SPACETIME AND CAN HAVE CHARGE.

In Knot Physics, spacetime can be knotted. Knots in spacetime are the elementary fermions—for example, quarks and electrons.

Knots have a topology that can be a source of the electromagnetic field. Knots that are a source of the field are charged fermions.

More detail: An elementary fermion is a topological defect with homeomorphism class $$\mathbb{R}^3 \# (S^1 \times P^2)$$, referred to here as a knot. This topology can be a source of the electromagnetic field such that the field cusp is distributed across a torus. For that reason, the electromagnetic field has finite energy.

For more information on fermion topology and field energy on fermions see the papers “Physics on a Branched Knotted Spacetime Manifold” and “Knot Physics: Deriving the Fine Structure Constant."

### 2. Weak Force

ON KNOTS, THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD HAS BOTH ENERGY AND MASS.

The mass of the electromagnetic field is determined by the geometry of spacetime. On flat space, the electromagnetic field has energy but no mass. The geometry of a knot is not parallel to flat spacetime; here, the field has both energy and mass.

More detail: The stress-energy tensor $$T^{\mu\nu}$$ is defined at every point on the spacetime manifold, including points that are on a knot. If the knot is in motion, the velocity vector of the knot will be parallel to flat spacetime. Because the knot geometry is not parallel to flat spacetime, the velocity vector of the knot motion may not be in the tangent space of the manifold on the knot. This causes the stress-energy tensor to Lorentz boost with rest mass. For that reason, field energy on a knot has mass.

For more information on fermion topology and field energy on fermions see the paper “Physics on a Branched Knotted Spacetime Manifold.”

OSCILLATIONS OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ON A KNOT PROPAGATE AS Z BOSONS.

The Z boson is an oscillation of the electromagnetic field on a knot that leaves the charge unchanged. On a knot, the electromagnetic field has mass; therefore, the Z boson has mass.

KNOTS CAN TRANSFER CHARGE WITH A W BOSON.

Muon decay is an example of a W boson carrying charge on a knot. The charge of the muon transfers onto the electron via a W boson. The charge moves down the side of the muon knot, which is not parallel to flat spacetime; therefore, the W boson must have mass.

### Summary

Knot geometry affects the behavior of the electromagnetic field. On flat space, the field is massless; on knots, the field is massive. Photons propagate field changes on flat space and are therefore massless; W and Z bosons propagate field changes on knots and are therefore massive.

In the Standard Model, the electroweak unification describes the relationship between the photon, W boson, and Z boson. In Knot Physics, the relationship is a consequence of including knot geometry in the description of the electromagnetic field.

More detail

### The Gauge Group of Electroweak Unification

In the Standard Model, the electroweak unification describes symmetry breaking using the gauge group $$SU(2) \times U(1)$$. This group can be understood as rotations of the Minkowski 6-space that leave components of the electroweak field invariant. More information about the gauge groups of the electroweak unification can be found in the papers.

### Unifying Gravity and Quantum Mechanics

A geometric model of spacetime provides a unified description of gravity and quantum mechanics.

### Strong Force

A geometric theory of quarks results in asymptotic freedom, confinement, and gluons.

### Electroweak

Electroweak unification is a consequence of including knot geometry in the description of the electromagnetic field.

Video Course

### Gravity and Quantum Mechanics

The double slit experiment, virtual particles, and spacetime curvature are among the topics covered in this course.