Meaning of fifth force | Babel Free

Definitions

A hypothetical fundamental force, distinct from gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong force and weak force, proposed to explain various anomalous observations that do not fit existing theories.

Examples

“The tantalising theory that a fifth force of nature could exist has been given a boost thanks to unexpected wobbling by a subatomic particle, physicists have revealed. […] Dr Mitesh Patel, from Imperial College London, said: “We’re talking about a fifth force because we can’t necessarily explain the behaviour [in these experiments] with the four we know about.””

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