Latest news with #StandardModel
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists Are Creating Plasma So Hot, It May Melt the Rules of Reality
Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: CERN's Large Hadron Collider will soon be smashing oxygen and neon atoms into other atoms of their own kind as part of its ATLAS experiment. The collisions will happen under enough heat and pressure to melt protons and neutrons and release their components (quarks and gluons), creating quark-gluon plasma. Quark-gluon plasma was thought to have emerged during the Big Bang, and could tell us more about conditions in the nascent universe. Even the most powerful telescopes have not yet been able to see far enough back in time to witness events from the Big Bang. But by smashing atoms, it is possible to create a plasma that existed right after the universe was born. As part of CERN's ATLAS experiment, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is now crashing oxygen ions into each other, and will soon be doing the same with neon ions. Heavy ions like this can create the quark-gluon plasma that is thought to have existed when the universe first exploded into being. During those very early moments of the universe, things were extraordinarily hot, and quark-gluon plasma behaves in strange ways when super-heated. This is because high temperatures will bring on changes in the strong force—one of the three forces in the Standard Model of Particle Physics that is impossible to break down any further. The strong force holds subatomic particles together—protons and neutrons stay in one piece because the quarks they are made of are held in place by the strong force, (which in turn keeps protons and neutrons themselves together to form the nucleus of an atom). This critical force is propagated by fundamental particles known as gluons, which are both massless units of energy that have no electric charge and bosons, which spin in full integer values (as opposed to fermions which have odd half-integer spins). Because quarks and gluons are held together so tightly by the strong force, the only way to release them is turning up the temperature and density so high that it can actually melt the protons and neutrons they make up, creating quark-gluon plasma. CERN is colliding oxygen ions with each other—and repeating the process with neon ions—because they have far fewer protons and neutrons than the lead ions which are usually smashed to create this plasma. This means that oxygen and neon will produce smaller blobs of quark-gluon plasma that could possibly reveal what happens somewhere between collisions of lighter particles (such as protons) in 'cold' conditions and heavier particles (such as lead ions) in immensely hot and dense conditions. CERN researchers are eagerly hoping to observe some specific potential phenomena during these tests. Jet quenching, for one, occurs when highly energetic particle jets begin to lose energy as they zoom through quark-gluon plasma. (It has been observed with xenon and iron ions before, but never with oxygen or neon ions.) If what theories have predicted actually happens, the results of the ATLAS experiment might show how dense quark-gluon plasma needs to get for jet quenching to begin. The tests could also provide more insight into conditions needed for the plasma to form, opening a proverbial a portal 14 billion years back in time to what conditions were like in the wake of the Big Bang. The tests could even give researchers new information on the showers of particles produced by subatomic particles of cosmic origin, which run into the oxygen and nitrogen atoms in Earth's atmosphere. There are still many unknowns present in these interactions, colliding protons with oxygen ions could recreating the situations in a way that scientists could analyze up close and personal. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Sustainability Times
5 days ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'We Might Be Seeing a New Force': Physicists Detect Possible Fifth Law of Nature Hidden Deep Inside Atomic Structures
IN A NUTSHELL 🔬 Physicists from Germany, Switzerland, and Australia have identified potential evidence of a mysterious fifth force within atoms. from Germany, Switzerland, and Australia have identified potential evidence of a mysterious within atoms. 📏 The discovery challenges the Standard Model of physics, which traditionally categorizes forces into four main types. of physics, which traditionally categorizes forces into four main types. 🧩 Researchers propose the existence of a hypothetical Yukawa particle that could mediate this new force within atomic nuclei. that could mediate this new force within atomic nuclei. 🔍 Further experimentation and refined calculations are needed to confirm the existence of this potential force. In the intricate world of physics, every action is influenced by forces that govern the universe. Traditionally, these forces are categorized into four main types: electromagnetism, gravity, and two varieties of nuclear force. However, recent research suggests there might be a fifth force lurking within the minuscule realms of particle dynamics. This potential discovery could revolutionize our understanding of the universe, bridging the gap between known physics and the mysteries that elude us. With studies conducted by physicists from Germany, Switzerland, and Australia, the quest for this elusive force has taken a significant step forward, hinting at a new layer of complexity in atomic interactions. The Standard Model and Its Limitations The Standard Model of physics serves as a comprehensive framework for understanding cosmic and quantum phenomena. Despite its utility, the model has notable gaps, leaving physicists searching for answers. One of the most perplexing mysteries is dark matter, an invisible substance that constitutes a significant portion of the universe. Additionally, the dominance of certain types of matter post-Big Bang and the enigmatic nature of gravity, which lacks a quantum explanation, further complicate our understanding. To address these gaps, scientists propose the introduction of new fields and particles. These additions could potentially extend the Standard Model and provide insights into the unexplained phenomena. Among the proposed concepts is the Yukawa particle, a hypothetical mediator of an undetected force within atomic nuclei. If proven to exist, this particle could alter our understanding of how particles within an atom's nucleus interact, along with their interactions with electrons. 'China Unleashes Invisible Firepower': Newly Revealed Stealth Missiles Could Radically Transform the Future of Modern Warfare Exploring the Yukawa Particle In pursuit of this fifth force, researchers have shifted their focus from cosmic scales to the microscopic realms within atomic nuclei. Recent investigations have centered around the orbitals of four different calcium isotopes. Here, electrons are held in place by their attraction to the positively charged nucleus at the center. However, when provided with enough energy, these electrons can jump to higher orbitals in an event known as an atomic transition. The timing of these transitions is heavily influenced by the structure of the nucleus, which varies depending on the number of neutrons present. By mapping these variations, scientists construct a King plot, a tool that should align predictably with the Standard Model. Any deviations from the expected results could hint at the presence of an additional, weak force operating between neutrons and electrons, potentially mediated by the hypothesized Yukawa particle. 'Troops Could Vanish Like Squid': New Bio-Inspired Camo Lets US Soldiers Evade Sight and High-Tech Sensors Instantly Experimental Evidence and Its Implications In their experiments, researchers utilized five isotopes of calcium in two different charge states to measure atomic transitions with remarkable precision. This meticulous approach left room for the possibility of a small, unexplained force governed by a mediator particle with a mass ranging between 10 and 10 million electronvolts. Despite the ambiguity in their calculations, the researchers identified a single factor that could indicate the presence of a fifth force. To confirm whether these deviations stem from known physics or the proposed Yukawa interaction, further experimentation and refined calculations are necessary. Nonetheless, the study has provided a clearer direction for future research, offering a glimpse of what might lie beyond the current understanding of atomic interactions. 'Ancient Gene Switch Flipped': Scientists Restore Limb Regeneration in Mice Using Dormant DNA Once Thought Lost Forever The Road Ahead in Physics Research The potential discovery of a fifth force within atoms marks a pivotal moment in physics research. It challenges existing paradigms and beckons scientists to explore the uncharted territories of particle dynamics. If confirmed, this new force could redefine our understanding of the universe, offering explanations for phenomena that have long puzzled researchers. While the path forward is filled with uncertainties, the progress made in recent studies is undeniable. As physicists continue to probe the depths of atomic structures, the possibility of unveiling a new force becomes increasingly tangible. This journey not only expands the boundaries of scientific knowledge but also raises intriguing questions about the fundamental nature of reality. What other mysteries might the universe hold, waiting to be uncovered by the keen eyes of science? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (25)
Arab News
25-06-2025
- Science
- Arab News
What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Standard Model'
Authors: Yuval Grossman and Yossi Nir 'The Standard Model' is an elegant and extremely successful theory that formulates the laws of fundamental interactions among elementary particles. This incisive textbook introduces students to the physics of the Standard Model while providing an essential overview of modern particle physics, with a unique emphasis on symmetry principles as the starting point for constructing models. 'The Standard Model' equips students with an in-depth understanding of this impressively predictive theory.
Business Wire
25-06-2025
- Science
- Business Wire
IonQ and the University of Washington Simulate Process Linked To The Universe's Matter-Antimatter Imbalance
COLLEGE PARK, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), a leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, today announced the first known simulation using a quantum computer of a process called 'neutrinoless double-beta decay' with profound implications for understanding the universe's imbalance between matter and antimatter. The Big Bang should have made equal amounts of matter and antimatter. However, almost everything we see is made of matter, and there's very little antimatter around. One of the biggest questions in physics is: what happened to the missing antimatter? Scientists are looking for the root cause of this imbalance to uncover insights into the fundamental laws of physics. Using IonQ's Forte Enterprise quantum system, researchers observed in real-time what's known as a 'lepton-number violation,' a phenomenon never directly simulated before on a quantum computer, providing further evidence that quantum computers may be able to model fundamental physics processes beyond the reach of classical systems. This demonstration opens a new path in the global efforts to understand why the universe is composed predominantly of matter rather than antimatter. The hypothesized 'neutrinoless double-beta decay' nuclear process suggests that neutrinos are their own antiparticles and that violates a principle in the Standard Model of particle physics. This technique allows scientists to use quantum computers and simulate the nuclear dynamics on the shortest of time-scales (10 −24 seconds). This is shorter even than the femto-second (10 −15 seconds) imaging demonstrations in the 1990s, which gave chemists new insights into chemical reactions, and revealed how atoms re-arrange during the breaking and formation of chemical bonds. Similar scientific breakthroughs could be enabled by this new quantum computing technique, with potential applications to high-energy physics laboratories around the globe. 'This achievement reinforces IonQ's commitment to pushing the boundaries of what quantum computing can accomplish,' said Niccolo de Masi, CEO of IonQ. 'By simulating a fundamental physics process so rare it's never been observed in nature, we're showing that quantum computers are not just theoretical tools. They're engines of discovery.' The simulation was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the University of Washington's InQubator for Quantum Simulation (IQuS) and the U.S. Department of Energy's Quantum Science Center. The team employed a co-designed approach, customized for taking full advantage of IonQ's quantum hardware capabilities, including all-to-all connectivity, and native gates at the core of IonQ's trapped-ion architecture. This allowed for the efficient mapping of the problem onto Forte-generation systems using 32 qubits, with an additional 4 qubits used for error mitigation. Novel quantum circuit compilation and error-mitigation techniques supported this large simulation with 2,356 two-qubit gates, resulting in high-precision observations. 'This work represents a critical first step in exploring the re-arrangement of quarks and gluons in this fundamental and complex decay-mode of a nucleus on yocto-second time-scales (10 -24) seconds),' said Martin Savage, Professor of Physics at the University of Washington and head of the InQubator for Quantum Simulation (IQuS). 'This was the culmination of a year-long co-design effort between IonQ and IQuS, centered around IonQ's forefront trapped-ion quantum computers.' The findings not only validate the use of quantum modeling in nuclear and particle physics but also set the stage for future research into other processes where lepton number violation may occur. As hardware capabilities grow, IonQ aims to expand these techniques to explore other symmetry-breaking phenomena and advance the frontier of quantum-enabled fundamental physics. The full findings and research paper are available at About IonQ IonQ, Inc. is a leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, delivering high-performance systems aimed at solving the world's largest and most complex commercial and research use cases. IonQ's current generation quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems and represent the forefront of the company's technological roadmap as it advances toward its goal of building quantum computers with 2 million physical qubits by 2030. The company's innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Newsweek's 2025 Excellence Index 1000, Forbes' 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list, and Built In's 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Washington DC and Seattle, respectively. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the words 'advance,' 'aimed,' 'aims,' 'available,' 'commitment,' 'can,' 'could,' 'critical,' 'cutting-edge,' 'delivering,' 'expand,' 'explore,' 'exploring,' 'forefront,' 'frontier,' 'future,' 'grow,' 'implications,' 'latest,' 'leading,' 'may,' 'opens,' 'path,' 'possible,' 'pushing,' 'solving,' and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to the IonQ's quantum computing capabilities and plans; IonQ's technology driving commercial quantum advantage or delivering scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing in the future; the relevance and utility of quantum algorithms and applications run on IonQ's quantum computers; the necessity, effectiveness, and future impacts of IonQ's offerings available today; and the scalability, fidelity, efficiency, accessibility, effectiveness, importance, reliability, precision, performance, speed, impact, practicality, feasibility, and commercial-readiness of IonQ's offerings. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: IonQ's ability to implement its technical roadmap; changes in the competitive industries in which IonQ operates, including development of competing technologies; IonQ's ability to deliver, and customers' ability to generate, value from IonQ's offerings; IonQ's ability to deliver higher speed and fidelity gates with fewer errors, enhance information transfer and network accuracy, or reduce noise and errors; IonQ's ability to sell effectively to governmental organizations and large enterprises; IonQ's ability to implement its business plans, forecasts, roadmaps and other expectations, to identify and realize partnerships and opportunities, and to engage new and existing customers; IonQ's ability to effectively enter new markets; IonQ's ability to deliver services and products within currently anticipated timelines; IonQ's customers deciding or declining to extend contracts into new phases; changes in U.S. government spending or policy that may affect IonQ's customers; and risks associated with U.S. government sales, including availability of funding and provisions that allow the government to unilaterally terminate or modify contracts for convenience. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's filings, including but not limited to those described in the 'Risk Factors' section of IonQ's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and reports on Form 10-Q. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and IonQ assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. IonQ does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists may have found evidence of a fifth ‘force of nature'
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. Every action in our world is powered by a 'force of nature.' Currently, there are four main forces that scientists cling to; gravity, electromagnetism, weak interaction, and strong interaction. The latter two are technically considered nuclear forces. However, some scientists believe a fifth force of nature may exist, and a new paper claims to have found evidence of it. A group of researchers from Switzerland, Australia, and Germany believe that this fifth force could be hiding deep within the hearts of atoms. While the Standard Model of physics has evolved over the years to help explain quantum and cosmic examples, there are still some massive gaps that leave scientists and physicists baffled. Today's Top Deals Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 Dark matter is a big one, of course, and even gravity hasn't been fully solved, despite being one of the primary forces of nature. Introducing a fifth force of nature, as well as other fields and particles, could broaden our understanding of the universe in important ways. But finding the evidence to prove these forces actually exist is the difficult part. That's why the researchers involved in this new study started small. Instead of trying to work at a cosmic scale, they started looking at things on an atomic level. They focused their attention on the nuclei of four different kinds of calcium. Typically, electrons are confined by the attraction between their own charge and the positively charged particles in the center of the atom. But if you give them a little kick, they can actually transcend to a higher orbit. This phenomenon is known as atomic transition. The exact timing of the jump depends heavily on the construction of the nucleus, which means an element can have multiple atomic transitions depending on the number of neutrons found within it. The researchers believe that a fifth force of nature could be the driving engine behind these small interactions. Their experiments found that there was a small amount of room between the atomic transitions — just enough room for a particle with a mass believed to be somewhere between 10 and 10 million electronvolts. Determining whether or not that ambiguity is indeed another force of nature will require additional experimentation and improved calculations, though. More Top Deals Amazon gift card deals, offers & coupons 2025: Get $2,000+ free See the
