Challenging Newtonian Physics: The Discovery of a New Time Crystal
Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion, a foundational principle taught in schools worldwide, posits that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This law governs a vast range of physical phenomena, from locomotion to projectile motion and even space travel. However, recent research from New York University (NYU) has unveiled a fascinating exception – a novel type of ‘time crystal’ that appears to defy this long-held principle, levitating through the manipulation of sound waves.
This groundbreaking discovery centers around a unique state of matter exhibiting a repeating pattern not in space, as traditional crystals do, but in time. Unlike conventional crystals with spatially ordered atomic structures, time crystals organize themselves into cyclical, repeating movements at the quantum level. These intriguing structures were initially theorized in 2012 by Frank Wilczek, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and are now being explored for potential applications in fields like data storage and advanced quantum computing.
Time Crystals and Non-Reciprocal Interactions
“Time crystals are fascinating not only because of the possibilities, but also because they seem so exotic and complicated,” stated David Grier, a physicist at NYU and author of the research paper. The team’s system is particularly noteworthy for its relative simplicity, utilizing readily available materials to demonstrate this complex phenomenon. The newly created time crystals are constructed from common styrofoam beads, suspended in mid-air approximately six inches apart, utilizing a carefully calibrated acoustic field.
The process begins by levitating the particles within the space created by an array of speakers, harnessing the power of standing waves. As explained by Mia Morrell, also of NYU and a contributing author, “Sound waves exert forces on particles—just like waves on the surface of a pond can exert forces on a floating leaf.” This acoustic levitation allows for the observation of unusual interactions between the particles.
Defying Newton’s Third Law with Sound
Once levitated, the styrofoam beads interact through the exchange of scattered sound waves. A key aspect of this interaction is the disparity in sound scattering between larger and smaller particles; larger beads exert a greater influence on smaller ones. Morrell illustrates this with an analogy: “Think of two ferries of different sizes approaching a dock. Each one makes water waves that push the other one around—but to different degrees, depending on their size.”
Crucially, the physicists found that these wave-mediated interactions do not adhere to Newton’s Third Law of Motion. Instead of balanced forces, the beads interact nonreciprocally, moving in a manner that breaks the symmetry of action and reaction. This discovery, published in Physical Review Letters (Morrell, Elliott, & Grier, 2026), expands our understanding of time crystals and their potential behaviors.
Implications for Biological Rhythms and Future Research
Beyond the fundamental physics involved, this research may offer insights into biological processes. The researchers suggest a connection between the nonreciprocal interactions observed in the time crystals and the circadian rhythms that govern biological clocks. Certain biochemical networks within the body, such as those involved in food digestion, also exhibit nonreciprocal interactions.
This opens up exciting avenues for future investigation, potentially bridging the gap between quantum physics and biological systems. The team welcomes further inquiry and can be contacted through science@newsweek.com.
