Their conduct calls into question one of the foundational principles of physics.
The researchers, led by Professor David Greer, assembled a compact apparatus, small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. Within this setup, polystyrene spheres are suspended in the air, held in place by standing sound waves, much like a leaf resting on pond ripples.
However, the primary astonishment lies in how these particles interact. Larger spheres scatter more sound and exert a greater push on the smaller ones than the reverse. This results in an imbalance: the action is not equal to the reaction.
Newton’s Third Law states that “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Yet, within this particular system, the forces lack symmetry, comparable to two ferries of differing sizes generating waves near a dock: the large one strongly displaces the small one, while the small one has a negligible effect on the large one.
Due to this imbalance, the spheres commence spontaneous oscillations, leading to a rhythmic “ticking.” This is how a time crystal is generated—a structure that repeats not across space, but across time.
For the first time, a time crystal is observable with the naked eye, requiring no sophisticated quantum laboratories. This breakthrough paves the way for novel quantum computers and data storage systems, and it also aids in comprehending biological rhythms, such as the circadian clocks within our bodies.
This is not about “disproving” the laws of physics, but rather demonstrating that in intricate systems involving intermediaries (like sound or light), interactions might not always be reciprocal.
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