Gauge field theory

The widely accepted theories of the standard model are known as gauge field theories. What that means is, the fields in the standard model all exhibit a high degree of symmetry known as a gauge symmetry. All guage fields are mediated by the massless 'gauge boson' group.

Even though in the standard model, all forces exhibit this symmetry, it is not always obvious in the states one sees in nature. sometimes, the symmetry gets spontaneously broken. A basic example that is often given is a solid state magnet. it is composed of many atoms, each of which has a magnetic dipole moment. the laws of magnetism are rotationally symmetric, and at high temperatures, the atoms will be randomly aligned, and the rotational symmetry will be apparent. Simmilarly you can, under the right conditions, super-cool water to bellow freezing point, when an ice crystal is dropped into the liquid the symmetry is broken and it solidifys instantly.