Why in the News?
Scientists at Fermilab in the USA have made an ultra-precise measurement of the muon’s magnetic behaviour, a finding that could hint at new physics beyond current laws.
Understanding Muon and G-2:
- Overview: A muon is a subatomic particle like an electron but about 200 times heavier.
- Behaviour: It has spin, making it act like a tiny magnet.
- g-Factor: The magnet’s strength is measured by the g-factor. In simple theory, g = 2, but quantum effects make it slightly different — this difference is called g-2 (g minus 2).
- Physics Relevance: Measuring g-2 can reveal unknown forces or particles beyond the Standard Model.
The Fermilab Breakthrough:
- Precision Record: Fermilab (USA) measured muon’s g-2 to an accuracy of 0.127 parts per million — comparable to detecting a 4-gram change on a 4-tonne elephant.
- Method: Muons were sent into a large magnetic ring, measuring the gap between spin rate and orbital rate.
- Results: Matches earlier experiments; disagreement with theory depends on calculation method used.
- Next Steps: Japan’s upcoming experiment will independently test results.
Significance:
- Potential New Physics: If the gap is real, it may signal undiscovered forces or particles.
- Refining Theory: If not, calculations will improve, sharpening known physics.
- Broader Impact: Advances precision science and deepens global understanding of fundamental physics.
- Lesson: Ultra-precise measurements can uncover hidden truths about nature.
| [UPSC 2013] The efforts to detect the existence of Higgs boson particle have become frequent news in the recent past. What is/are the importance/importances of discovering this particle?
1. It will enable us to under-stand as to why elementary particles have mass. 2. It will enable us in the near future to develop the technology of transferring matter from one point to another without traversing the physical space between them. 3. It will enable us to create better fuels for nuclear fission. Select the correct answer using the codes given below. Options: (a) 1 only* (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
