fifth force

noun

1. a theoretical force in nature in addition to the strong and weak forces, gravitation, and the electromagnetic force.

fifth force

noun

1. a hypothetical non-Newtonian repulsive component of the force of gravity, postulated as an addition to the four known fundamental forces (gravitational, electromagnetic, strong, and weak)

fifth force

/ fĭfth /

1. Any of various hypothetical, very weak forces thought to cause bodies to repel each other. Such forces are occasionally considered as a solution to unexpected deviations in the measured value of the gravitational constant or to explain the apparent acceleration of very distant galaxies away from earth.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fifth force¹

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

They build on results announced in 2021 in which the Fermilab team first suggested the possibility of a fifth force of nature.

From BBC

That is because a fifth force and any particles associated with it are not part of the Standard Model of particle physics.

From BBC

For the past 20 years, Sam has been trying to find evidence of a fifth force of nature, with gravity, electromagnetism and two nuclear forces being the four that physicists already know about.

From BBC

As well as believing that they may find a new, fifth force of nature, researchers hope to find evidence of an invisible substance that makes up most of the Universe called Dark Matter.

From BBC

Results from LHC before it shut down for the revamp and from several other particle accelerators around the world have found tantalising hints of that fifth force.

From BBC