In astrophysics, weakly interacting massive particles or WIMPs, are hypothetical particles serving as one possible solution to the dark matter problem. These particles interact through the weak force and gravity, and possibly through other interactions no stronger than the weak force. Because they do not interact with electromagnetism they cannot be seen directly, and because they do not interact with the strong nuclear force they do not react strongly with atomic nuclei.
This combination of properties gives WIMPs many of the properties of neutrinos, except for being far more massive and therefore slower.
Read more about Weakly Interacting Massive Particles: Theoretical Arguments, Experimental Detection
Famous quotes containing the words weakly, massive and/or particles:
“Lets not quibble! Im the foe of moderation, the champion of excess. If I may lift a line from a die-hard whose identity is lost in the shuffle, Id rather be strongly wrong than weakly right.”
—Tallulah Bankhead (19031968)
“Fortunate they
Who, though once only and then but far away,
Have heard her massive sandal set on stone.”
—Edna St. Vincent Millay (18921950)
“The atoms of Democritus
And Newtons particles of light
Are sands upon the Red Sea shore,
Where Israels tents do shine so bright.”
—William Blake (17571827)