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One of the goals of physics is to draw seemingly unrelated theories together
into a single, simple unified theory. The advantage of a unified theory over
many fragmented theories is that a unified theory often offers a more elegant
explanation of data and may point toward future areas of study.
For example, in 1861-65 James Maxwell explained the interrelation of electric
and magnetic fields in his unified theory of electromagnetism. Then, in
1881-84 Hertz demonstrated that radio waves and light were both
electromagnetic waves, as predicted by Maxwell's theory.
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In the later years of his life Einstein tried, but failed, to write a theory
which unified gravity with other theories.
Today, one of the major goals of particle physics is to unify strong, weak, and
electromagnetic forces into a
"Grand Unified Theory"
(or, G.U.T. if you prefer). Perhaps such a theory could tell us at what energies all forces merge into one.
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