Is QCD an extension of QED, or is QCD a “rival” of QED?
In: Physics
Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) and Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) are both integral parts of the Standard Model of particle physics, but they are not extensions or rivals of each other. Instead, they describe different fundamental forces and aspects of particle interactions.
QED is the quantum field theory that describes how light and matter interact. It’s all about the electromagnetic force, one of the four fundamental forces, and deals primarily with the interactions between photons (which mediate the electromagnetic force) and charged particles like electrons.
QCD, on the other hand, is the theory that describes the strong nuclear force, another of the four fundamental forces. This force is what holds the protons and neutrons together in an atomic nucleus and involves the interactions between quarks and gluons (gluons are the force carriers for the strong force).
So, while QED and QCD are both quantum field theories and share some mathematical similarities, they apply to different forces and particles. They coexist within the Standard Model, each addressing a unique aspect of particle physics. The real beauty of the Standard Model is how it integrates these different theories into a cohesive understanding of the subatomic world, despite their distinct domains.
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