Our most advanced physics theory have been unbelievable in predict and explaining the particles , interactions , and phenomena that we witness in the mankind , but we are quite cognizant that they are special . physicist are constantly poke at those limits , with some challenging observance . Current cathartic centers on the thought of four force of nature : gravity , electromagnetism , and the two forces of atomic , weak and strong . Now , research worker have discovered an anomalousness that hints at more evidence of the existence of a fifth force out of nature .
Back in 2016 , a team of Hungarian physicists publishedan interesting studyon the radioactive disintegration ( the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus lose energy by radiation syndrome ) of beryllium , an unstable isotope . Their finding saw hints of a antecedently undiscovered subatomic particle they dub X17 . The particle was not detected directly but researchers discovered an growth of electron - positron pairs , indicating that there must have been an unknown particle hold energy away from the cell nucleus and decaying into the brace . The particle is a boson ( so has whole number spin , like photons and the Higgs ) , has no electric charge , and weigh roughly 33 times that of an electron .
The same team has now seen steer of the same particle , X17 , in a different decay , this time involving helium , release their finding in a newspaper on the pre - print siteArXiv . They study the decay of an excited helium atom , and as the universe much prefers things to be in their lowest potential energy state , the helium relinquish that energy in the grade of molecule .
The squad again meet an increase of electron - positron pairs , also indicating the front of an unknown subatomic particle . The mess of this particle is very unaired to the one they had remark in the causa of beryllium . The team report that they are confident in the detection , suggesting that there is only one chance in 1.6 trillion that this is a good fortune .
take up that this is right and there are no other unaccounted systematics , this is very exciting . This X17 particle must only interact with neutrons , otherwise it would have been detected before . And that ’s only possible if it does n’t interact using any of the four know profound forces : solemnity , electromagnetics , strong nuclear force ( which keep mote together ) , and weak nuclear force , which is creditworthy for some radioactive decays .
This suppositional fifth force could be an of import piece of the puzzle for physics . dark-skinned subject and dark DOE are the two most abundant substance in the macrocosm but we have struggled to learn them experimentally . If this force is veridical , we may be able to start explore a new frontier in corpuscle physics in earnest .
The squad is eagerly awaiting effect from other labs to substantiate or traverse the world of the particle . As describe byNew Scientist , several experiments are in the work , including at CERN and the Positron Annihilation into Dark Matter Experiment in Italy , that are looking for X17 and we should experience one way or the other in the next couple of years .
[ H / T : New Scientist ]
