Ball of Light Particle Model

FIELDS OF STUDY: Astrophysics

ABSTRACT: The ball of light particle model is a grand unification theory in the field of physics. John T. Nordberg developed the model and published material on it in 1995. Nordberg’s model addresses many aspects of physics, including elementary particles, electric fields, magnetic fields, gravitational fields, standing waves, and moving waves. Nordberg claims that the ball of light particle model unifies the electric force, magnetic force, and gravitational force. In essence, then, it unifies all areas of physics. Nordberg also claims that his model can be used to explain different phenomena in astrophysics, including the big bang theory, black holes, quasars, and the cores of stars.

Balls of Light

The ball of light particle model is a grand unification theory that was developed in 1995 by theoretical physicist and industrial engineer John T. Nordberg (b. 1961) through the fusion research and development company Nordberg Fusion Technologies.

A basic knowledge of physics concepts is crucial to understanding the ball of light particle model. Physics is typically explained using forces called the strong nuclear force and the weak nuclear force. The strong nuclear force generally is a force that holds together matter in the universe. The weak nuclear force typically causes this matter to fall apart. Nordberg’s ball of light particle model relates to these concepts in that it identifies three strong forces: electric force, magnetic force, and gravitational force.

Elementary particles also play an important role in understanding Nordberg’s model. An elementary particle consists of an electric field, a magnetic field, and a gravitational field. Electric, magnetic, and gravitational fields come in the form of standing waves and moving waves (also called traveling waves). Moving waves may crash into one another. If certain conditions are present, including polarization, then this may cause the waves to combine and produce harmonic standing spherical waves. Harmonic standing spherical waves have electric, magnetic, and gravitational fields. This means that harmonic standing spherical waves can be thought of as elementary particles. Nordberg created a nickname for spherical electromagnetic and gravitational waves, which can be either standing or moving waves. The nickname he gave them was "balls of light."

Nordberg’s Grand Unification Equation

Nordberg devised a grand unification equation that he used as the basis for the ball of light particle model. The equation, Nordberg believes, unifies all areas of physics in a way that is much like his view of the ball of light particle model. According to Nordberg, the gravitational field vector ( ) is the cross product of the electric field ( ) and the magnetic field (117107332-108101.gif ) vectors, written as

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In physics, a vector stands for a quantity with magnitude and direction. Nordberg explains the ball of light particle model using this equation with a sphere, demonstrating that the natural position of the fields makes the electric and magnetic fields point to the surface of the sphere. Therefore, the gravitational field, as the cross product, always points to the center of the sphere. Electric and magnetic fields can move around the sphere. Accelerating these fields creates greater magnitudes in the fields, which in turn creates a greater magnitude in the gravitational field. This higher gravitational field can make the particle more stable and also reduce its size. A simpler explanation of this is that the ball of light particle model unifies the electric, magnetic, and gravitational forces.

Scientific Significance

Physicists have long been working to find a grand unification theory in order to combine the various areas of physics. In the 1970s, physicists Steven Weinberg (b. 1933), Abdus Salam (1926–96), and Sheldon Glashow (b. 1932) developed a unification theory for the electromagnetic and weak forces. The theory eventually led to the grand unification theory and numerous variants. Such theories, however, did not address gravity. Nordberg’s ball of light particle model does address gravity. It is believed to be the first working grand unification theory in the field of physics. This means that the model is the first theory that has unified all areas of physics, including the electric, magnetic, and gravitational forces.

Nordberg believes that his ball of light particle model can be used to explain various phenomena in the field of astrophysics. For example, he claims that the model can describe the big bang theory, which explains the creation of the universe. According to Nordberg, the ball of light particle model helps illustrate that the universe was created from energy that was contained in a single ball of light that was both spherical and harmonic. In other words, the model suggests that the big bang began with the decay of one enormous ball of light. Nordberg also claims that his model helps explain that black holes, quasars, the cores of stars, and other celestial objects are waves of energy that are spherical, standing, electromagnetic, and gravitational.

PRINCIPAL TERMS

  • electric field: a field around an object that is created by electric charges or magnetic fields.
  • grand unification theory: a vision or goal in physics that involves unifying the fundamental forces such as strong, weak, and electromagnetic forces. This unification would allow for a better understanding of the way the universe is organized.
  • gravitational field: a force field surrounding an object that has a gravitational influence.
  • harmonic standing spherical wave: a wave that is created when moving waves crash into one another.
  • magnetic field: an area around an object that has a magnetic influence.
  • moving wave: a wave that travels along the medium; also known as a traveling wave.
  • polarization: a property in which the oscillations in a wave are perpendicular to the direction of travel. It can cause waves to produce other waves.
  • standing wave: a wave that stays in place as it vibrates up and down.

Bibliography

Elert, Glenn. "Standing Waves." Physics Hypertextbook. Glenn Elert, n.d. Web. 6 May 2015.

"Forces and the Grand Unified Theory." Particle Adventure. Particle Data Group, n.d. Web. 6 May 2015.

Lucas, Jim. "What Is the Strong Force?" Live Science. Purch, 1 Nov. 2014. Web. 6 May 2015.

Lucas, Jim. "What Is the Weak Force?" Live Science. Purch, 24 Dec. 2014. Web. 6 May 2015.

Nordberg, John T. Grand Unification. John T. Nordberg, n.d. Web. 6 May 2015.

Odenwald, Sten. "What Is Grand Unification Theory?" Astronomy Cafe. Sten Odenwald, 1997. Web. 6 May 2015.

Siegel, Ethan. "Ask Ethan: What Does 'Grand Unification Theory' Mean?"Big Think, 8 Feb. 2022, bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/grand-unified-theory/. Accessed 13 June 2022.