“The Universe is not only queerer than we suppose but queerer than we can suppose.”
– J.B.S. Haldane.
Our current understanding of the universe at its best is termed the “Standard Model ” which describes its dynamics and composition via the Fundamental particles- {Leptons, Quarks} which account for the matter; and {Gluons, photons, W&Z bosons, Higgs Boson, graviton*} which hold the responsibility of being force carriers.
Rigorous studies of the dynamics of various systems in our universe have revealed four types of existing fundamental forces (to date) that govern their functioning. 1. The strong force – Mediated via Gluons this force is active at subnuclear levels of distances, holding together nucleons. 2. Electromagnetic force – The second most familiar force, experienced via a specific characteristic of “charge”. It has been extensively studied, explained via maxwell equations, and mediated via photons. Obviously, you might know already that electric and magnetic forces are interconvertible so they are physically the same. 3. The Weak Force- Another subatomic level quantity that is held responsible primarily for radioactive decays, is a unique type of interaction that changes the “flavor” of quarks. 4. Gravity – The most familiar of all responsible for attraction for every form of matter to each other, and also the weakest of all in a common domain of action.
So what’s this fifth force? Where did it come up from so suddenly? Why were we so oblivious to it before the present?
Earlier this year in April, at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, results of an experiment were announced that suggested abnormal behavior of “Muons”. Abnormality refers to deviation from expected behavior according to predictions of the Standard model. This deviation suggests a new underlying mechanism of particle interaction and hence has kept many researchers on their toes in order to decipher the phenomenon.
Muons are a classification of fundamental particles posited by the Standard model and fall under a larger category of “Leptons”. Leptons are fundamental particles that have a spin of (1/2) and do not take interact via the strong mechanism. They can be charged or uncharged(neutral). Muons are negatively charged with -1e and are studied for various phenomena involving their decay which is used as an example for special relativity.
Any particle with a charge responds to an electromagnetic field as they themselves possess an internal magnetic moment that arises due to their spin. On application of a magnetic field to these particles, the magnetic moment of particles orients itself in different directions as a response. In a strong magnetic field, it starts precession and this is determined by the g-factor which has been calculated to high accuracy.
While processing these muons interact with quantum particles in the environment and their precession rate is affected. This variation is calculated by using the Standard Model. The experimental observation though at the Fermilab laboratory shows a difference which means that the Standard model is unable to account for some phenomenon that causes this difference. This is exactly what excites physicists. By July the statistical significance of data not being a fluke or an error has reached 4.2 and the required parameter is 5.
It looks almost like it is a new discovery, yet until it reaches 5 sigma for real we can never be sure enough. The implications of this result are massive, for some unknown interaction that is yet unaccounted for in physics brings upon a new quest to be explored.
There is a possibility that this might be a fluke, but we will have to wait for the final results to be published as calculations are going on for the whole data acquired. The suggestion of a fifth force arises from the variation difference due to interaction. One another suspect that is being investigated is “Supersymmetry” which posits that every particle has a supersymmetric partner in the other class of fundamental particles with a difference of spin (1/2).
What would be the final results of this experiment is something many are looking forward to and are perhaps already ready with answers of their own. We might look into one of them at a later point in time.
Meme time-
It’s not complete yet… Here lemme add to it- Wait for it….
MEANWHILE THE UNKNOWN INTERACTION:
Hilarious huh, at least I think so XD.
Credits- Rushi Joshi.
See you next Monday.
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