Can a Particle Be Neither Matter Nor Force?

June 27, 2024
22 min
Season 2024 - Episode 17: Can a Particle Be Neither Matter Nor Force?

Season 2024 - Episode 17: Can a Particle Be Neither Matter Nor Force?

Can a Particle Be Neither Matter Nor Force? - Episode 17

Overview

All particles belong to two large groups: fermions like protons and electrons make everything we consider "matter", while bosons like photons and gluons transmit the fundamental forces. And that about covers the universe: matter moving through space and time under the action of forces. But what if we could create particles in between these two possibilities. Physics says these neither matter nor force anyons can exist, and they may have some pretty incredible uses. They’re called anyons.

Episode Information

TV Show

PBS Space Time

Season

Season 2024

Episode Number

17

Air Date

June 27, 2024

Runtime

22 minutes