While Einstein conceived of the Unified Field theory, it might well be a Hungarian team at the Institute for Nuclear Research at ATOMKI that finally proves it.
The three forces of physics known as electromagnetism, the weak nuclear force (Weak Interaction), and the strong nuclear force (Strong Interaction) have long been consolidated into what is known as the “Standard Model of interaction” with only our understanding of Gravity elusive and outstanding, – necessary to prove Einstein’s theory.
But now Hungarian scientists at the Institute for Nuclear Research at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (Atomki) may have found a new particle and the unifying fifth force, potentially providing proof of the unified field theory proposed by Einstein.
The Hungarian team were building upon their prior work from 2016 published in Physical Review Letters. They discovered anomalies in the decay of an excited nucleus that could not be explained by the existing “standard model”, not once but twice. They first observed the anomalies with the decay of a Beryllium atom and then confirmed their observation with a Helium atom more recently. The telltale sign of the new force is the angle at which the particles of the atom splits, which at a 115-degree angle can not be explained and therefore is something new to science, a new particle.
In an article to CNN, Atomki lead scientist Attila Krasznahorkay stated that the newly named “X17 could be a particle, which connects our visible world with the dark matter.” The particle was named X17 due to its mass of 17 megaelectronvolts.
Leading physicists have since tried and failed to disprove their work since 2016, initially suggesting experimental or equipment error. However, with these new findings, it now appears ever more likely that Atomki’s work will be validated and eventually accepted as proof of the Unified Field theory.
Jonathan Feng, professor of physics and astronomy at the University of California, Irvine Campus, told CNN that he has been following the work of the Hungarian research team for years and believes their research could bring about groundbreaking breakthroughs.