Physicists on three international teams have recently spotted what’s most likely a long-sought subatomic particle known as a pentaquark. It contains five components–four quarks and one antiquark–which are among the most fundamental bits of matter yet known. No subatomic particle detected previously contains more than three of those building blocks.
HIGH FIVE. Gamma rays hitting neutrons in carbon nuclei appear to have created exotic pentaquarks, which quickly shatter into neutrons and kaons.
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