Scientists say 'fifth force of nature' possible after latest discovery

The researchers used a Muon g-2 magnetic ring at Fermilab in Chicago to conduct the test. Photo: Ryan Postel/PA Wire

Scientists believe they are on the verge of discovering a new fifth force of nature.

This comes after an experiment confirmed a peculiar oscillation of a subatomic particle called a muon.

The findings suggest that scientists may be missing something in their current understanding of physics, perhaps some unknown particle or force.

Muons are fundamental particles like electrons that revolve around a nucleus an atom, but they are over 200 times heavier.< /p>

On Thursday, researchers announced the results of an experiment at the US Department of Energy's Fermilab in Illinois.

The experiment studied muons moving through a magnetic field at almost the speed of light.

< p>Muons, like electrons, have a tiny internal magnet that causes them to oscillate.

The speed of oscillation in the experiment was significantly different from predicted, suggesting that it was influenced by a mysterious factor.< /p>

The previous experiment, conducted in 2021, also showed an anomalous fluctuation.

The new results were based on a fourfold increase in data, which strengthened confidence in the conclusions.

«New features of space-time»

Brendan Casey, senior scientist at Fermilab, said: «We are looking for signs that the muon is interacting with something we don't know about.»

«It could be anything — new particles, new forces, new dimensions, new features of space-time, whatever.»

Rebecca Chislett, a physicist at University College London and co-author of the study, said: «Yes, it's fair to say that this could indicate unknown particles or forces.

«With all this new knowledge, the result is still consistent with previous results, which is very interesting.”

The experiment was carried out at sub-zero temperatures. 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Researchers fired muon beams into a donut-shaped superconducting magnetic storage ring 50 feet in diameter.

A scientific paper on the results was published in the journal Physical. Review letters.