quantum chromodynamics
/krəʊməʊdʌɪˈnamɪks
/(abbreviation QCD)
plural noun [treated as singular] Physics
A quantum field theory in which the strong interaction is described in terms of an interaction between quarks mediated by gluons, both quarks and gluons being assigned a quantum number called ‘colour’.Everyone agrees that the fundamental theory of the strong interaction is a quantum field theory known as quantum chromodynamics, or QCD for short....
- Today the other three forces are described by the gauge theories of quantum chromodynamics and quantum electrodynamics, which together make up the Standard Model of particle physics.
- The theory of the strong interaction between quarks - quantum chromodynamics - is approximately invariant under what is called charge symmetry.