An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A period in the early history of the Universe lasting from 10^-36 to 10^-12 seconds after the → Big Bang. The electroweak epoch begins at the same time as cosmic → inflation is triggered. This is also the time when the → strong force breaks from the → grand unified force and ends with another → phase transition will occur in which the → weak interaction breaks from the → electroweak force.

See also: → electroweak; → epoch.