http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/forces/qed.html
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/forces/qed.html
Quantum Electrodynamics or QED is the quantum field theory which describes the properties of the electromagnetic forces. All forces or interactions of nature are thought to be comprised of 4 basic forces, Gravity, Electromagnetism, Strong nuclear force, and the Weak nuclear force. General Relativity describes the most familiar of these forces, Gravity, which governs the rules that the world of the 'the large' follows i.e. planets, stars, balls, things not on the atomic level. But Electrodynamics deals with the other 3 forces which govern the 'world of the small' as in the sub-atomic world. Like the Strong nuclear force which is responsible for 'gluing' protons and neutrons together inside of atoms, Electromagnetism, which produces light, electricity, and magnetic attractions. And finally the Weak nuclear force which deals with radiation which is caused by radioactive decay. So it is belived that if the hands of time are turned back far enough all 4 of these theories should unite in one theory know as the Unified Field theory, or the unification of the fundamental forces of nature.
So Quantum Electrodynamics, QED, or Quantum mechanics are all
used interchangeable when talking about the quantum field theory professor
Salam's claim to fame was the electroweak theory or the unification of the
electromagnetic and weak force interactions which is the closest physics has
gotten to the unification of the fundamental forces of nature. And because
of this Dr. Salam, Steven Weinberg, and Sheldon Glashow received the Nobel
Prize for physics in 1979.
| Basic Quantum Electrodynamics |