Scientists just announced the discovery of two never-before-seen particles (Physical Review Letters of Feb.10) hiding inside data collected by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Switzerland. Physicists predicted the existence of these two new particles a few years ago, but now these two new particles reinforce the standard model of physics, which is a working theory that describes all the known particles in the universe. The discovery of the particles is also helping physicists learn more about one of the fundamental forces in the universe, strong force, which acts like glue and hold particles together.
The two new particles are a type of particle called a baryon. For these particular particles, the actual mass measurements from the LHC data agreed with the masses that physicists had already predicted. The two new particles are each about six times larger than a proton.
Baryons include familiar particles like protons and neutrons, which are held together by strong force. (The other fundamental forces in the universe are gravity, electromagnetism, and weak force. Strong force holds particles together; weak force makes particles decay.) Scientists understand the basic theory of strong force, and they can use the theory to estimate the sizes and masses of different baryons. But the mathematical equations behind strong force are incredibly complex.
That’s because the particles they apply to have some wacky characteristics. Part of a baryon’s mass can spontaneously burst into and out of existence.This weird flux makes it difficult to use strong force to predict their mass.
(Business Insider Feb.13,/KellyDickerson)
Our uncertainty of Cosmos makes some fundamental particles seem very unpredictable. Science of course works harder while our faith rests in Power and Wisdom of God. Science has not whittled away my faith in the least.
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