A New Particle and the Mystery of Dark Matter

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Scientists have theorized the existence of a fascinating particle called the sexaquark—a unique combination of six quarks (two ups, two downs, and two stranges). Unlike protons and neutrons, which are made of three quarks, the sexaquark's special arrangement could make it incredibly stable, potentially lasting forever. If proven to exist, this particle might hold the key to solving the puzzle of dark matter, an invisible substance that makes up most of the universe's mass.

What Are Quarks?

Quarks are tiny building blocks that make up matter. There are six types of quarks—up, down, top, bottom, strange, and charm—but most matter around us, like protons and neutrons, is made from up and down quarks. While scientists have combined quarks in pairs and even groups of five, they’ve never observed a stable group of six. This makes the sexaquark an exciting theoretical possibility.

Could the Sexaquark Be Everywhere?

The Big Bang created extreme conditions where particles like the sexaquark might have formed in huge numbers. If they are stable, these particles could still be around today, invisible to us but exerting gravitational pull—just like dark matter. However, their low mass might have kept them hidden in particle collider experiments, which are designed to detect heavier particles.

The Search Continues

Scientists are now actively looking for evidence of the sexaquark in specialized experiments like BaBar. While no definitive proof has been found yet, it’s possible the sexaquark is simply elusive. If discovered, it could revolutionize our understanding of the universe, offering a new explanation for the mysterious dark matter.

Discover more in this insightful article from Live science website: https://www.livescience.com/sexquarks-could-explain-dark-matter.html