What does the Muon g-2 experiment tell us?

The Muon g-2 experiment announced one of the most tantalizing physics measurements in over a decade. It is possible that the measurement tells us that our theoretical calculation is missing some new physical phenomena. It is also possible that a new theoretical prediction points to the possibility that measurement and prediction basically agree. In this exciting video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln gives you an insider’s perspective.
Playlist describing the Fermilab Muon g-2 experiment
• Muon g-2
Videos about Quantum Electrodynamics
Quantum Field Theory
• Quantum Field Theory
Feynman Diagrams
• Feynman diagrams
Theoretical Physics: Insider’s Tricks
• Theoretical physics: i...
Quantum electrodynamics: Theory
• Quantum electrodynamic...
QED: experimental evidence
• QED: experimental evid...
The physics of g-2
• The physics of g-2
Nature papers on lattice QCD
Leading hadronic contribution to the muon magnetic moment from lattice QCD
www.nature.com/articles/s4158... (subscription required)
Is the standard model broken? Physicists cheer major muon result
www.nature.com/articles/d4158... (commentary, no subscription required)
Fermilab experimental paper on the muon magnetic moment
Measurement of the Positive Muon Anomalous Magnetic Moment to 0.46 ppm
journals.aps.org/prl/abstract... (technical paper)
Muon’s Escalating Challenge to the Standard Model
physics.aps.org/articles/v14/54 (popular science article)
Fermilab press release:
news.fnal.gov/2021/04/first-r...
Fermilab physics 101:
www.fnal.gov/pub/science/part...
Fermilab home page:
fnal.gov

[@oreokid101v2]

You've been explaining the recent happenings in the world of physics to me since I was a 12 year old boy. I'm now a 23 year old man with a bachelor's in physics and I feel even further from my dreams of contributing to experimental or theoretical physics in any significant capacity. I'll see you in a few years, hopefully with a PhD. :)

[@oreokid101v2]

@@jeffallen3382 Yeah, I'm not very active in the comments section 😅

[@valentinmalinov8424]

If is too difficult to make a contribution to experimental physics, why you do not try theoretical physics? The fact is that in the last 100 years there is no significant advance in the understanding of the fundamental elements as - What Energy is; What Electromagnetism is; What Time is; What Space is...Anyway, they are looking for a new physics, which can unify QM and TOR. Why you have not read my book - "Theory of Everything in Physics and The Universe"? It is possible that there you can find an idea for your great theoretical discovery, which will make you a great scientist. You will never succeed if you never try!

[@kumar-qb2pe]

@@valentinmalinov8424 yeah I'm also fascinated to think about these fundamentals from childhood and now I'm working in that way

[@jansenart0]

Learn controls engineering. There's no money in physics.

[@valentinmalinov8424]

@@kumar-qb2pe Very good! Keep going questioning the proposed scenarios with facts and logic and one day inevitably you will succeed to produce something unique and valuable. I will suggest you tackle this problem - What is this force, which is bending Einstein's space? Where is its origin and where it is going after bending Space?

[@SlowToe]

After all the hype I was waiting for Don's take on it. I'm not disappointed. Clearly explained with a pinch of charm.

[@user-ex1fq6oz4p]

He is the best!

[@hajorm.a3474]

Charismaaa

[@franksavage1499]

Yeah, I really can't understand why there is not millions of subscribers to this channel, this is so good, fun and easy to understand content :)

[@drdon5205]

@@franksavage1499 Tell all your friends to subscribe!

[@franksavage1499]

@@drdon5205 I will, I have shared a few videos and know that some of my friends have watched them :)

[@_vicary]

Finally, Don has spoken.

[@tommylakindasorta3068]

This is masterful science communication. I don't know who at the Fermilab office asked you to do the KZbin channel, Dr. Don, but you have truly found your calling. You and everyone behind the scenes who's involved.

[@beeheart6529]

I agree! I’ve tried for years to learn about subatomic particles with no success until I found this teacher!

[@fikretonderbudakin2643]

Earth's gravitational waves contribute positively to the spin and kinetic energy of fermions. For this reason, since the muon is heavier than the electron, the muon has more magnetic power than the electron. Different laboratories around the world produce different results due to the different 'gravitational acceleration'. If the experiment were carried out in space, it would probably give the same result as the theory.

[@davio14]

The thing I love about Don's videos is how he stresses that in science, finding new questions can be as exciting as finding answers. A result which tells us "we don't know, we need to do more research" is actually a great result.

[@theeniwetoksymphonyorchest7580]

In some ways science is about finding better questions.

[@MitzvosGolem1]

Former BNL employee worked on that magnet on Long island NY . Proud 🤗

[@AmbivalentMind]

I could listen to him lecturing for hours. ☺️

[@fantasia55]

and I do!

[@sudeeptaghosh]

until my small brain overload..😥

[@AnotherGlenn]

This channel is a gem. I have been repeatedly impressed by the content. It seems as though it would be digestible by a wide audience, despite the complexity of the subject matter. This video was particularly well made.

[@lk9650]

Finally, a video we've all been waiting for.

[@turkfiles]

Dr. Lincoln is such a great teacher. His delivery is always enjoyable and very informative. The G-2 uncertainty has been cycling through my mind since first becoming aware of it.

[@chriszachtian]

Thanks Dr. Don, this was great - and long expected!

[@plexiglasscorn]

This is the video I have been waiting for, best PR from Fermilab

[@KonekoEalain]

Thank you for a digestible explanation of cutting edge science, love your videos Dr. Don!

[@stephenaustin3026]

I'd been looking forward to this! Back in April, I watched the live seminar when the results were first announced. It was incredibly well put together, and was the most compelling and informative scientific presentation I'd ever seen. Truly an outstanding model for scientific communication that should be studied by others.

[@RME76048]

Excellent presentation, Dr. Don. Lots more info than you usually provide which is appreciated, but as always, presented in ways that allow most anybody with an interest in physics to follow along.

[@TerranIV]

Wow, thank you so much for such an in-depth quality explanation of the g-2 results!!! This is very exciting. Can't wait to find out what the different groups find over the next year or two!

[@AnexoRialto]

Best explanation I've heard/watched on the Muon g-2 experiment. As usual, Dr. Limon knows how to cut to the chase.

[@joshuaadamstithakayoutubel2490]

Thank you for explaining this

[@guilleteru]

Beautifully explained. You can sense his love for physics each team he explains something as fascinating as this. Thanks for explaining so well that even someone like me can understand

[@EspritBerlin]

Thanks for the video! A very exciting experiment!

[@visavou]

Thank you for making this video. Great explanation!

[@gardenlizard1586]

Congrats to Fermi Lab on achievement

[@paulmace7910]

It is amazing that there are human scientists that have the intelligence to understand stuff like this. Research like this is important, not because it has any immediate practical application, but because it furthers our understanding of our universe. Great work Femilab.

[@TA-ve7ze]

What an excellent video. Thank you Dr Don

[@georgH]

Excellent video, it's nice to have the long format again :)

[@SuperStingray]

Professor Frink: "g is exactly 2!" Audience: *gasps* Frink: "Very sorry that it had to come to that."

[@darimshamsi2329]

Hello Sir. Hope you are well. Take care!

[@abelgerli]

Thank you so much. For a clear explanation of the facts so far.

[@ericeaton2386]

This was great, easily the best explanation I've heard. And I didn't know about the lattice computations! That's really important to the story, it should be reported with this topic more widely.

[@beeheart6529]

You are such a good teacher! I am so happy to find it’s possible for me to understand what scientists say about subatomic particles, at least partially.

[@sukkrivaavijayan4493]

Incredibly clear, you have a gift

[@liamcjbeistle3274]

In all, I would assume Feynman would be pleased if not jealous lol. I am thankful in your approach and inspiring a new generation of brilliance.

[@aportorak8575]

This is my favorite series. Love it so much

[@stephencorben7875]

Great to see you back Don

[@tj71520]

I am a big fan of the videos presented on this channel. Very cool stuff.

[@portuguesepossum3165]

I’m so grateful for these videos. Thank you for the work you put in for us that are of the Dummy Tribe.

[@leshommesdupilly]

Wow, this level of precision is mind boggling !! This is remarkably amazing !! Ok, lets go back to ignore friction...

[@Isometrix116]

I love that being wrong is the best and most exciting thing for a physicist

[@casandramedina6108]

Thank you very mich dr. Lincoln

[@NalitaQubit]

Thank you for teaching us complex concepts in such a down to earth way.

[@oscarmendez590]

Thanks for covering this topic.

[@GlennElert]

Your best post ever Dr. Lincoln.

[@troeteimarsch]

Thank you all at Fermilab for the great work you do for us all. I desperately hope that option 2 is the case, I really don't want to give up the sci-fi fantasies that come with it :)

[@tresajessygeorge210]

THANK YOU PROFESSOR LINCOLN...!!!

[@redcirclesilverx4586]

Amazing, just learned about your channel from pbs space time. Excited to deep dive!

[@justinmoorhead2632]

Excellent explanation!

[@mattcontact1]

You're so fascinating. I don't always understand what you're saying but I'm fascinated all the same.

[@vitostan3134]

The best at explaining complex ideas.

[@asdfasdf71865]

Nice video. Thanks.

[@lorenzobarbano8022]

I've been waiting for this video for a few years😍

[@PMA65537]

I waited so long all my muons decayed.

[@lorenzobarbano8022]

@@PMA65537 How fast were they going???

[@PMA65537]

@@lorenzobarbano8022 You should have seen the Lorenzo transform!

[@w0tch]

Best explanation so far

[@Ambienfinity]

I joined the online seminar a few weeks ago -- even at 2am here in Britain, the excitement of breaking new ground was thrilling.

[@taknothing4896]

Best explanation yet.

[@jerrygundecker743]

Dr. Lincoln, if I'm hearing you right, this research is going to help us go back in time and reach the speed of light. I'd settle for fewer ads on You tube.

[@simian_essence]

Loved this deep dive! What better place to get this dive than right from the Fermilab's (horse's) mouth. I've got my fingers crossed for new physics!!

[@FobbitMike]

Good job, Doc.

[@yojiviriak675]

Awesome Don

[@pmiecz]

Much appreciated, thx.

[@tedlis517]

Love this. So many of the early attempts to communicate the results of the BH and Fermi Lab experiments focus on “new physics” and completely ignored the lattice QCD results. Either way, bravo to all the scientists involved in the new computer calculations and in gathering the new experimental data. I can’t wait to learn how the next sets of experimental results and confirmation calculations turn out!

[@golemtheory2218]

Congrats to Don and the Fermilab team. An fresh alternative to CERN

[@itsawonderfullife4802]

Thankx Doc.

[@keplerthe3399]

I've been waiting for this

[@wulphstein]

In the expanding graviton model, gravitons are always coming into existence, expanding from a point, and overlapping. When large numbers of expanding gravitons overlap, they inevitably create the geometries for particle-anti-particle creation. When gravitons overlap and create the geometries for particles/antiparticles, that's the same as creating virtual particles.

[@krumplethemal8831]

Interesting, do the gravitons lose energy when the overlap produces the particle anti particle pair?

[@Mckeycee]

@8:12 "what does it all mean? Well first, lets be honest, we don't know." lol

[@chiseldrock]

thanks Don.

[@juzoli]

It reminds me to the GPS system inaccuracy. If we wouldn’t know about relativity, the GPS system clock would be off by 38 microseconds per day. It sounds to be just as small and insignificant, than the difference in this Muon experiment. But this little inaccuracy both leads to kilometers of inaccuracy in real world usage, and a whole new physics which changed how we understand the universe forever.

[@henrytjernlund]

Speaking of which, what if this tiny difference is an effect of gravity?

[@artienia7908]

@@henrytjernlund it is

[@juzoli]

@@henrytjernlund Gravity is way weaker than that. But you can believe, since gravity is the 4th fundamental force, and on the top of the lost of the biggest challenges in physics, it is always on the top of the list of ideas for explaining anything mysterious.

[@davidespano8674]

Engineers would have fixed the problem anyway empirically and have it work nevertheless. The truth is that we will never be able to know everything or know everything as our lifespans are limited and at some point the learning process as optimized as it could possibly be will reach its generational best. Problems will have to be fixed empirically and be at peace with that.

[@juzoli]

@@davidespano8674 Yeah, they would add some magical x multiplier, because that’s what they measure. Just like we add cosmological constant, and call it “dark energy”. But understanding WHY we need that correction is a whole different story.

[@cosmosgato]

Waiting for you sir! You make advance science easily digestible for the common man.

[@avejst]

Impressive video 👍😀

[@jimc.goodfellas226]

This guy always explains things that I can't understand when someone else is saying it

[@rickharold7884]

Awesome. Love it

[@sapelesteve]

Great video Dr. Don! So, basically what you are saying is that we don't know what we think we know until we know it and even then the answer might be wrong or right depending on how you look at it. 😉😉😂😂

[@drdon5205]

Welcome to my world.

[@hubertheiser]

The more we know, the less we know :-) Anyway, thank you very much for this clear explanation of where science stands in this particular problem.

[@alphagt62]

That’s a good version of the old Einstein quote, “The more I learn, the less I know”.

[@KaiHenningsen]

@@alphagt62 I much prefer the version "The more we know, the more we know how little we know". Which incidentally is also related to good ol' Dunning-Kruger: when you know just a little, you have no idea how little you know, so you assume you know everything there is to know.

[@OslerWannabe]

No, not quite. The more we know, the more we know about how little we know, and the more we know about where to look next.

[@TonyP9279]

That's basically how real science works: You discover new questions.

[@karaloop9544]

@@KaiHenningsen I've come to liken that effect to an expanding circle where the outside is the unknown and the inside already accrued knowledge. The larger the circle of knowledge, the longer the boundary to the unknown becomes.

[@teashea1]

so excellent

[@bigsarge2085]

Fascinating stuff.

[@Dragon32z]

summed up, "we could be wrong, we don't know why, but we are oddly happy because of it".

[@YaMumsSpecialFriend]

Fascinating 🖖🏼

[@quantumkarthik]

It is wistful to see that this alluring experiment was left behind by the Nobel Committee

[@tomfeiler5934]

Love u guys :*

[@nicknorthcutt7680]

Thanks, a very good explanation to the lamen like myself! 😁

[@jimbuono2404]

The fields that make up space in the time/space continuum are only superficially understood. While we have some knowledge from experiments, our understanding is limited to the results of those experiments. It's like never having seen 4 types of fruit grown on Rigel 4, being blindfolded, and asked to identify each by touch. You know they feel different but as to understanding what they are, well, you've only scratched the surface.

[@andy16666]

Need a good tailor there bud. Great video!

[@HackersSun]

Wow that's interesting It takes sooo long for the results but well worth the wait

[@OslerWannabe]

I gotta say, I kind of like this new, more subdued Don Lincoln. I hate to sound critical at all, because he and this channel are absolutely great. But now it's Great+.

[@makeracistsafraidagain]

Fascinating

[@patrickaycock3655]

Intro music is epic. Feels like im about to meet a hero. Wait a minute.... Its dr. don lincoln.... a hero. 😯

[@smithanderson3511]

classic...loved it

[@n1k0n_]

SCIENCE! MR DON!

[@seangordon9164]

Can we have an updated video with the new results please!!

[@rajeevk.pathak771]

Dr. Donald Lincoln elucidates things so that they are palatable for all! He re-emphasizes the Einsteinian statement, which goes something like---- "The propensity for exploring the unknown, the quest for delving out reality, is far important than any 'assured possession' in science"

[@DavidKennyNZL]

thanks

[@Galadonin]

Really great video, especially to get context about the experiments in fermilab If I may, I just have small "advice" : (Idk your budget, and I really mean well, we need more educational videos, especially on quantum mechanics. If the green screen is not used, you can maybe used a set, with half the screen for the key points. A little bit of cuts in the editing, I'm amazed that you can get a lot of these script without cuts, but it can add a bit a rhythm in the video, less breathing noises. Microphone aren't cheap, but it peaks a little bit to much, I think the clip on mic doesn't help The lightning is bright, which maybe necessary because of the green screen, but it seems that the light is not diffused, or not enough. I don't know if you'll se this comment, but please keep posting, those small notes aren't that important. I'm just nitpicking about details. A lot of science channels use green screen with a space background. Some onsite set can boost the production, especially for fermilab, it would be so great ! Btw your generic is AWESOME ! Great production, seems legit.

[@Robinson8491]

Awesome

[@nikolaos9175]

I'm a simple man, I see a Fermilab video, I hit like.

[@Frankness777]

Are there any previous results in any other experiments or data interpretations that appear similar in the range of discovery that is presumed?

[@Fraiser2024]

Great explanation. I wonder... in this experiment muons need to go fast so they have enough livetime due to relativistic effects. How fast? Are other relativistic effects to consider? For example in their interactions with virtual particles... thanks!

[@rexdalit3504]

I would be most curious as to how the lattice calculations vary with "grid size". For example, if calculating on a slightly smaller grid moves the computed g-2 value away from the experimental measurements (toward zero, say), then one might reasonably surmise that calculating with a substantially larger grid would result in a g-2 value even closer to the experimental value(s). [The decades old dream of doing very accurate tau precession experiments may re-emerge, probably still remaining a dreamy dream.]

[@SimonSozzi7258]

FINALLY! I'm like "Where's my Fermi Dude?" I need a breakdown... in the upside, I've been briefed.

[@TheReaverOfDarkness]

Do you think that quantum computers will eventually help calculate the lattice QCD?

[@martynewport]

Excellent! Are new results in? Because it is middle of 2022? Hope a new video on this soon

[@aashsyed1277]

0:30 that epic music is so satisfying