Grand Unified Theory: Coupling Convergence

A Grand Unified Theory proposes that the strong, weak and electromagnetic forces are really one force, described by a single gauge group, that only splits into three distinct interactions below some enormous unification energy. This simulation runs the actual one-loop renormalization-group equations for the three Standard Model coupling constants from the Z-boson mass up to the Planck scale and renders them as three spiraling ribbons whose radius is the inverse coupling strength. Slide through energy scales to see the couplings converge — or fail to — and toggle supersymmetric partners on to watch the celebrated near-perfect MSSM unification point appear around 10¹⁶ GeV.