Nov. 18th, 2003
as reported by
xiombarg
Nov. 18th, 2003 09:26 pmScientists Find Mystery Particle
Scientists have found a sub-atomic particle they cannot explain using current theories of energy and matter.
[...] Classified as X(3872), the particle was seen fleetingly in an atom smasher and has been dubbed the "mystery meson".
[...] X(3872) was found among the decay products of so-called beauty mesons - sub-atomic particles that are produced in large numbers at the Tsukuba "meson factory".
It weighs about the same as a single atom of helium and exists for only about one billionth of a trillionth of a second before it decays into other longer-lived, more familiar particles.
Although this is extremely short-lived by human standards, scientists say that a billionth of a trillionth of a second is nearly an eternity for a sub-atomic particle this heavy.
Particles smaller than the atom are grouped into families depending upon their mass, spin and electric charge.
But X(3872) is peculiar in that it does not fit easily into any known particle scheme and, as a result, has attracted a considerable amount of attention from the world's physics community.
Scientists have found a sub-atomic particle they cannot explain using current theories of energy and matter.
[...] Classified as X(3872), the particle was seen fleetingly in an atom smasher and has been dubbed the "mystery meson".
[...] X(3872) was found among the decay products of so-called beauty mesons - sub-atomic particles that are produced in large numbers at the Tsukuba "meson factory".
It weighs about the same as a single atom of helium and exists for only about one billionth of a trillionth of a second before it decays into other longer-lived, more familiar particles.
Although this is extremely short-lived by human standards, scientists say that a billionth of a trillionth of a second is nearly an eternity for a sub-atomic particle this heavy.
Particles smaller than the atom are grouped into families depending upon their mass, spin and electric charge.
But X(3872) is peculiar in that it does not fit easily into any known particle scheme and, as a result, has attracted a considerable amount of attention from the world's physics community.
(as reported by
revxaos)
While We Have Your Attention, Mr. President. . . .
The letter from the man who shares my last name, well, let's just say I emitted an audible gasp.
The 12-year-old's letter was probably the clearest and most direct. That sort of forthrightness is refreshing. :)
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While We Have Your Attention, Mr. President. . . .
The letter from the man who shares my last name, well, let's just say I emitted an audible gasp.
The 12-year-old's letter was probably the clearest and most direct. That sort of forthrightness is refreshing. :)