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How matter’s hidden complexity unleashed the power of nuclear physics Matter is a lush tapestry, woven from a complex assortment of threads. Diverse subatomic particles weave together to fabricate the universe we inhabit. But a century ago, people believed that matter was so simple that …..
Muon magnetism could hint at a breakdown of physics’ standard model A mysterious magnetic property of subatomic particles called muons hints that new fundamental particles may be lurking undiscovered. In a painstakingly precise experiment, muons’ gyrations within a magnetic field seem to defy predictions of …..
Uranium ‘snowflakes’ could set off thermonuclear explosions of dead stars Tiny crystals of uranium could set off massive explosions within a dead star, physicists propose, making for a cosmic version of a thermonuclear bomb. Expired stars called white dwarfs slowly cool as they age. In …..
Here’s why humans chose particular groups of stars as constellations The Big Dipper’s stars make up a conspicuous landmark in the sky of the Northern Hemisphere. Even novice stargazers can easily pick out the shape, part of the Ursa Major constellation. Now, scientists have shown …..
Atomic clocks take a step toward redefining the second A new measurement moves scientists closer to revamping how we keep time. After scientists redefined the unit of mass, the kilogram, in 2019, they set their sights on overhauling the fundamental unit of time, the second …..
Can room-temperature superconductors work without extreme pressure? For decades, scientists quested after a room-temperature superconductor. Now that they’ve finally found one, the hunt is on for an even better material. Until last year, all known superconductors — materials that conduct electricity without resistance — had …..
A tiny gold ball is the smallest object to have its gravity measured Even teeny objects obey the law of gravity. A gold ball just 2 millimeters wide, with a mass of about 90 milligrams, is now the smallest object to have its gravitational pull …..