Scientists Discover Electrons are Extremely Round, Unraveling Universe's Secrets

Physicists have made a significant breakthrough in measuring the shape of electrons, confirming their astonishing roundness with unparalleled precision. This finding intensifies the mystery surrounding the prevalence of matter over antimatter in the universe. Any deviation from perfect roundness, particularly in the distribution of the electron's electric charge, would suggest an asymmetry in the laws of nature that could explain this fundamental aspect of the cosmos. The new measurement, known as the electric dipole moment, is twice as accurate as the previous record, reaching a level of precision where any asymmetry in the electron's shape would need to be smaller than an atom if the electron were scaled to the size of Earth.

To investigate the electron's shape, the research team observed its behavior in an electric field, searching for any torque exerted on the particles. However, their observations of changes in energy levels in electrically charged molecules provided no evidence of torque, confirming the remarkable roundness of electrons.

While electrons are considered pointlike particles without a definite size or shape, quantum field theory suggests they are surrounded by temporary "virtual" particles, creating a spherical halo of electric charge. A slightly oblong halo could provide insights into the asymmetry between matter and antimatter in the universe's formation.

The prevailing theory states that the Big Bang should have produced equal amounts of matter and antimatter. However, our universe is dominated by matter, posing a mystery. Certain subatomic particles have been proposed to explain this asymmetry, but detecting them is challenging due to their presumed massive nature and the energy required for their production.

Although the recent measurement has not revealed any evidence of these particles, the question of how matter gained the upper hand remains unanswered, compelling scientists to seek answers beyond our current understanding. Further experiments and investigations into the nature of electrons are crucial for advancing our knowledge of the universe's fundamental principles.

Questions or comments on this article? E-mail us at news@sciencex.in

Reference:

An improved bound on the electron’s electric dipole moment | Science

Image Credit:

Image by Adis Resic from Pixabay