The exceptional Jordan algebra, and its implications for our understanding of gravitation and the weak force

Abstract: The exceptional Jordan algebra is the algebra of $3\times 3$ Hermitian matrices with octonionic entries. It is the only one from Jordan's algebraic formulation of quantum mechanics which is not equivalent to the conventional formulation of quantum theory. It has often been suggested that this exceptional algebra could explain physical phenomena not currently explained by the conventional approach, such as values of the fundamental constants of the standard model of particle physics, and their relation to gravitation. We show that this is indeed the case; and this also unravels the connection between general relativity and the weak force. The exceptional Jordan algebra also predicts a new $U(1)$ gravitational interaction which modifies general relativity, and which provides a theoretical basis for understanding the Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND).