What does it mean when we say that the electroweak and strong forces "froze out" shortly after the Big Bang?

When we refer to the electroweak and strong forces "freezing out" shortly after the Big Bang, we are describing a phase in the early universe when these fundamental forces underwent specific changes in their behavior as the universe expanded and cooled. The term "frozen out" indicates that the electroweak force, which encompasses the electromagnetic force and the weak nuclear force, was unified at extremely high temperatures and energies. However, as the universe expanded and cooled, the conditions became such that these forces lost their unity and began to operate independently.

At a certain point, the energy dropped below a threshold where the electroweak force could no longer be described as a single interaction, leading to the differentiation into the distinct electromagnetic and weak forces. The strong force, which governs the interactions between quarks and gluons, also became separate and began to dominate in its own realm, primarily influencing hadrons (such as protons and neutrons). Therefore, this phase marks a critical transition where the forces became distinct entities, reflecting the evolving nature of the early universe as it transitioned from a highly energetic state into one where distinct interactions could manifest.

Understanding this concept is crucial for grasping the fundamental forces of nature and their role in the evolution of