Do all four forces propagate at C

Question

Do all four forces propagate at C

Answer 1

Yes

Answer 2

Of the four forces of nature, the two long-range forces are transmitted at the speed of light! According to General Relativity, gravitation propagates at the speed of light in the form of a gravitational wave. If a quantum theory of gravity emerges, then the zero mass, spin 2, graviton may be its light speed transmitter. Similarly, the electromagnetic force is propagated by the mass less, spin 1, photon.

The other two forces of nature are both short-range nuclear forces. Starting, first, with the strong nuclear force - this is transmitted via the gauge bosons known as gluons. There are eight types of gluons within QCD and they have a theoretical value for their mass of zero but experimentally their mass is at most a few MeV/c². If the gluons have zero mass, then the strong nuclear force is transmitted at the speed of light. However, if the gluons have even a slight mass, then the strong nuclear force is transmitted more slowly than the speed of light. Furthermore, given the range of the nuclear force within the nucleus, it is very difficult to determine the transmission speed of the strong nuclear force.

However, the weak nuclear force is transmitted by massive particles and so must necessarily travel at less than the speed of light. The weak nuclear force is transmitted by heavy gauge bosons. These bosons are the W+, W−, and Z , which mediate the weak interactions between particles of different flavours (all quarks and leptons). These bosons are massive, with the Z being more massive than the W±, with M(W) = 80.3 Gev/c² and M(Z) = 91.2 Gev/c². All of the gauge bosons have a spin of 1! Thus, Special Relativity implies that this very short ranged force must be slower than the speed of light in it rate of propagation. According to Special Relativity - massive particles cannot travel at the speed of light. Once again, the weak nuclear force is so short ranged it is difficult to measure its propagation speed!

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Thus, to summarise - gravity and the electromagnetic force are propagated at light speed and the strong nuclear force might also travel at light speed, then again, it might not - if the gluons have a slight mass. The weak nuclear force is transmitted by heavy gauge bosons and therefore does not travel at light speed!

Answer 3

sure why not...

Answer 4

Gravitational force seems to propagate at a speed of at least 10^10 m/s and may even be infinite.

Answer 5

not sure about this but if c is the singularity they should

Answer 6

yes

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