black holes
Black holes are the most mysterious objects in the universe. They form as a result of stars collapsing under the influence of their strong gravity, making them capable of attracting anything approaching them, including light itself. They range in size from stellar black holes formed from the collapse of large stars, to supermassive black holes found at the centers of galaxies with masses millions or even billions of times the mass of the Sun.
Facts about black holes:
Black holes cannot be seen directly: Because of their enormous gravity, which prevents light from escaping, we cannot see them directly. But we can study their effect on stars and the gases surrounding them.
Stellar black holes: They form when a large star collapses after the end of its life, and their mass is between 5 and 20 times the mass of the Sun.
Supermassive black holes: They are found in the centers of most major galaxies, including our Milky Way. Its mass can reach billions of times the mass of the Sun.
Event horizon: The boundary surrounding a black hole, where gravity is so strong that nothing can escape.
Space-time distortion: Black holes greatly affect the space-time surrounding them, leading to distortions that affect the passage of time and the traditional laws of physics.
Black holes remain one of the most fascinating mysteries in space, and we are learning more about them every day thanks to advances in observational techniques and scientific research.
17 Physicists have revealed that the tantalizing theory that there could be a fifth force of nature has been given a boost thanks to the unexpected oscillation of a subatomic particle. According to current understanding, there are four fundamental forces of nature, three of which – the electromagnetic force and the strong and weak nuclear forces – are explained by the Standard Model of particle physics. This is according to what was reported by theguardian website.
However, the model does not explain the other known fundamental force, gravity, or dark matter – an exotic and mysterious substance believed to make up about 27% of the universe.
Researchers' opinions
Now researchers say there could be another fifth fundamental force of nature. Dr Mitch Patel, from Imperial College London, said: “We're talking about a fifth force because we can't necessarily explain the behavior [in these experiments] with the four we know about.”
The data comes from experiments at the US Fermilab particle accelerator facility, which explored how subatomic particles called “muons” – similar to electrons but about 200 times heavier – move in a magnetic field.
Patel says the muons behave a bit like a spinning top, rotating around the axis of the magnetic field. However, when muons move, they wobble. The frequency of this oscillation can be predicted by the Standard Model.
“The oscillation is due to the way the muon interacts with the magnetic field,” says Professor John Butterworth of University College London, who works on the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. It can be calculated very precisely in standard form. “But this calculation involves quantum rings, with known particles appearing in those rings.”
He adds: “If the measurements do not match the prediction, it could be a sign of an unknown particle appearing in the rings – which could, for example, be a carrier of the fifth force.”
Butterworth continues: “If the contradiction is confirmed, we will be sure that there is something new and exciting going on.” But we will never be completely sure what it is.”
Experiments at Fermilab weren't the only ones suggesting the possibility of a fifth force: work at the LHC has also produced puzzling results. Albeit with a different type of experiment that looks at the rate of production of muons and electrons as certain particles decay.
Butterworth continues, “The unexpected frequency of muon oscillation was one of the longest and most important discrepancies between the measurement and the Standard Model.” He adds: “Measurement is a great achievement. He is unlikely to be wrong now. “So if the theory’s predictions hold up, this may actually be the first confirmed evidence of a fifth force – or something else exotic beyond the Standard Model.”
Source: websites