supersymmetry

[ soo-per-sim-i-tree ]

noun

, Physics.

1. a hypothetical symmetry among groups of particles containing fermions and bosons, especially in theories of gravity supergravity that unify electromagnetism, the weak force, and the strong force with gravity into a single unified force.

supersymmetry

/ ˌsuːpəˈsɪmɪtrɪ /

noun

1. physics a symmetry of elementary particles having a higher order than that in the standard model, postulated to encompass the behaviour of both bosons and fermions

supersymmetry

/ so̅o̅′pər-sĭm′ĭ-trē /

1. A theory of physics that states that for each boson (a subatomic particle that carries a fundamental force, such as the photon, which carries the electromagnetic force) there is a corresponding fermion with the same mass. The theory is an attempt to unify the fundamental forces of matter under one theory. Supersymmetry has not been shown to hold in the real world, though some scientists suspect that evidence for it may be found only at extremely high energies; some also believe that certain particles predicted by the theory may make up dark matter .

Word History and Origins

Origin of supersymmetry¹

First recorded in 1970–75; super- + symmetry

Example Sentences

None of particles predicted by supersymmetry, a concept that posits a more massive “superpartner” exists for every particle in the standard model.

From Science Magazine

Dr. Deser is perhaps best known for his work in the 1970s as one of the pioneers of supergravity, which expanded an idea known as supersymmetry to include gravity.

From New York Times

He said that Ukrainian scientists had done pioneering work on the theory of supersymmetry, which seeks to unify the known forces of nature mathematically and posits the existence of undiscovered particles.

From New York Times

So we’re like deer in the headlights: We didn’t find supersymmetry, we didn’t find dark matter as a particle.

From New York Times

If we’re correct, somewhere out there on the plains are other mountain ranges where particles of supersymmetry exist or dark matter particles exist.

From Scientific American