MUON Meaning and
Definition
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A muon is a subatomic particle that is classified as a lepton, which means it is one of the fundamental particles in the Standard Model of particle physics. It is denoted with the symbol "μ-" for the negatively charged muon or "μ+" for the positively charged muon. Muons have an electric charge of -1 elementary charge unit (e) for negatively charged muons, and +1e for positively charged muons.
Muons are similar to electrons in many ways, such as having spin of 1/2 and behaving as if they have a mass, but they are approximately 207 times more massive than electrons. They are produced in high-energy processes, particularly during collisions between cosmic rays and atoms in Earth's atmosphere. Due to their relatively large mass, muons have a shorter lifetime compared to electrons, with an average lifetime of 2.2 microseconds before they undergo decay into other particles.
Because of their high energies and penetrating power, muons can travel great distances through matter without interacting, making them useful in various scientific experiments. They play a crucial role in the study of particle physics and are often created and detected in particle accelerators and detectors. Muons are also important in helping scientists understand cosmic rays and neutrinos, and they have practical applications in medical imaging, such as in positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
Common Misspellings for MUON
Etymology of MUON
The word "muon" is of Greek origin. It comes from the Greek letter "mu" (μ), which is the 12th letter of the Greek alphabet. The "mu" was chosen to name this elementary particle because it resembles another elementary particle called the electron. The Greek letter "mu" was used to create the term "muon" to differentiate it from the "electron". The muon was first discovered in 1936 during cosmic ray experiments by Carl D. Anderson and Seth Neddermeyer. They initially referred to it as a "mesotron" but later discovered that it was distinct from the mesons, leading to the adoption of the name "muon".
Similar spelling words for MUON
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