Most scientists think that dark matter is composed of non-baryonic matter. The lead candidate, WIMPS (weakly interacting massive particles), are believed to have ten to a hundred times the mass of a proton, but their weak interactions with "normal" matter make them difficult to detect.
Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter that does not emit, absorb, or reflect light. Although we cannot directly observe dark matter, its presence is inferred from its gravitational effects on visible matter. Scientists believe that dark matter makes up about 85% of the total matter in the universe.
The composition of dark matter is still unknown. It is not made up of the particles that we are familiar with, such as protons, neutrons, and electrons. Instead, it is thought to consist of new types of particles that have not yet been discovered.
There are several proposed candidates for dark matter particles, including weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), axions, and sterile neutrinos. WIMPs are hypothetical particles that interact weakly with ordinary matter and are thought to have a mass similar to or larger than that of a proton. Axions are hypothetical particles that were originally proposed to solve a problem in particle physics called the strong CP problem, but they could also be a candidate for dark matter. Sterile neutrinos are hypothetical particles that do not interact via the weak nuclear force like regular neutrinos, but they could still interact gravitationally and be a candidate for dark matter.
Despite ongoing efforts, scientists have not yet been able to directly detect dark matter or determine its exact composition. However, through observations of the universe and simulations, scientists continue to refine their understanding of dark matter and its role in the formation and evolution of galaxies and large-scale structures in the universe.
Dark matter is composed of particles that do not absorb, reflect, or emit light, so they cannot be detected by observing electromagnetic radiation. This means that dark matter cannot be seen directly. However, we know that dark matter exists because of the effect it has on objects that we can observe directly.
Scientists have studied the movement and behavior of galaxies, clusters of galaxies, and even the whole universe. They have found that the visible matter in the universe, such as stars and galaxies, cannot explain the gravitational forces that hold galaxies and galaxy clusters together. There must be additional matter, which we call dark matter, to account for these gravitational effects.
Think of it this way: imagine you have a group of friends holding hands in a circle. If everyone is holding hands with someone else, the circle will stay intact. However, if one person suddenly disappears, the circle will break. In this scenario, the visible matter is like the people holding hands, while dark matter is like the missing person. Even though we can't see the missing person directly, we can observe the effects it has on the circle by the way it breaks.
So, even though dark matter is elusive and mysterious, scientists have been able to study its effects and gather evidence for its existence. The exact nature of dark matter and its particles is still not fully understood, but ongoing research and experiments aim to shed more light on this intriguing cosmic mystery.
Dark matter is a mysterious substance that makes up a significant portion of the universe's mass. However, it does not interact with light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation, which is why we cannot directly observe it. Scientists have been able to infer the existence of dark matter through its gravitational effects on visible matter and the structure of the universe.
One way dark matter affects objects we can observe is through its gravitational pull. It exerts a gravitational force on stars, galaxies, and other celestial bodies, causing them to move in certain ways. For example, dark matter's presence can influence the rotation of galaxies, keeping them from flying apart. Scientists have studied the movements of stars within galaxies and have found that the observed gravitational force is not sufficient to explain their motion. Dark matter provides the additional mass and gravitational pull needed to explain these observations.
Despite extensive efforts, the exact nature of dark matter remains unknown. There are several theories about what dark matter could be made of, such as weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) or axions, but these theories have yet to be conclusively proven. Scientists are continuing to investigate and conduct experiments in the hopes of better understanding the composition and properties of dark matter.