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nuclear physics

particle physics

The Mysterious Forces Inside the Nucleus Grow a Little Less Strange

By Charlie Wood
February 14, 2022
Read Later

The strong force holds protons and neutrons together, but the theory behind it is largely inscrutable. Two new approaches show how it works.

Colorful illustration in which a sphere divided into four quadrants is surrounded by spheres divided into halves and thirds.]
particle physics

‘Impossible’ Particle Discovery Adds Key Piece to the Strong Force Puzzle

By Charlie Wood
September 27, 2021
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The unexpected discovery of the double-charm tetraquark has given physicists a new tool with which to hone their understanding of the strongest of nature’s fundamental forces.

A glowing blue sphere in space.
astrophysics

Squishy Neutron Star Setback Dampens Hopes of Exotic Matter

By Jonathan O'Callaghan
May 26, 2021
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Groundbreaking results show that neutron stars of different masses may have the same size — upending astrophysical models.

A pink beam at the center of a metallic experimental apparatus.
Abstractions blog

Physicists Pin Down Nuclear Reaction From Moments After the Big Bang

By Thomas Lewton
November 11, 2020
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The newly-measured rate of a key nuclear fusion process from the Big Bang matches the picture of the universe 380,000 years later.

Art for "How Network Math Can Help You Make Friends"
Quantized Columns

The End of Theoretical Physics as We Know It

By Sabine Hossenfelder
August 27, 2018
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Computer simulations and custom-built quantum analogues are changing what it means to search for the laws of nature.

520px illustration of bottle beam
nuclear physics

Neutron Lifetime Puzzle Deepens, but No Dark Matter Seen

By Natalie Wolchover
February 13, 2018
Read Later

Two methods of measuring the neutron’s longevity give different answers, creating uncertainty in cosmological models. But no one has a clue what the problem is.

astrophysics

Squishy or Solid? A Neutron Star’s Insides Open to Debate

By Joshua Sokol
October 30, 2017
Read Later

The core of a neutron star is such an extreme environment that physicists can’t agree on what happens inside. But a new space-based experiment — and a few more colliding neutron stars — should reveal whether neutrons themselves break down.

astrophysics

A New Blast May Have Forged Cosmic Gold

By Joshua Sokol
March 23, 2017
Read Later

For decades, researchers believed that violent supernovas forged gold and other heavy elements. But many now argue for a different cosmic quarry.

Abstractions blog

Have Physicists Discovered a New Boson?

By Jeanette Kazmierczak
June 14, 2016
Read Later

A group of little-known Hungarian physicists claim to have found a new fundamental particle. Now other researchers are raising questions about the team’s past work.


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