Editing Fifth force (section)

== Theory ==
Theoretical proposals for a fifth-force are driven by inconsistencies between the existing models of [[general relativity]] and [[quantum field theory]], and also between the [[hierarchy problem]] and the [[cosmological constant problem]]. Both issues suggest the possibility of corrections to the gravitational potential around <math>100\mu\text{m}</math>.<ref name=NewPhysicsAtoms/>{{rp|58}}

The accelerating [[expansion of the universe]] has been attributed to a form of energy called [[dark energy]]. Some physicists speculate that a form of dark energy called [[quintessence (physics)|quintessence]] could be a fifth force.<ref>{{cite web |title=Quintessence – a fifth force from variation of the fundamental scale |url=http://www.thphys.uni-heidelberg.de/~wetterich/DEBarcelona0706.pdf |publisher=Heidelberg University |first=C. |last=Wetterich}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cicoli |first1=Michele |last2=Pedro |first2=Francisco G. |last3=Tasinato |first3=Gianmassimo |year=2012 |title=Natural quintessence in string theory |journal=Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics |volume=2012 |issue=7 |page=044 |arxiv=1203.6655 |doi=10.1088/1475-7516/2012/07/044|bibcode=2012JCAP...07..044C |s2cid=118461474 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Dvali |first1=Gia |last2=Zaldarriaga |first2=Matias |date=2002-02-15 |title=Changing α with Time: Implications for Fifth-Force-Type Experiments and Quintessence |url=https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.091303 |journal=Physical Review Letters |language=en |volume=88 |issue=9 |page=091303 |doi=10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.091303 |pmid=11863992 |issn=0031-9007|arxiv=hep-ph/0108217 |bibcode=2002PhRvL..88i1303D }}</ref>