Muon

Elementary particle similar to an electron.

muons

A muon is an elementary particle similar to the electron but with approximately 207 times its mass. It carries an electric charge of -1e and a spin of 1/2, classifying it as a lepton. Muons are unstable, decaying into lighter particles with a mean lifetime of about 2.2 microseconds.

Pronunciation

/ˈmjuːɒn/

Etymology

The name 'muon' comes from the Greek letter μ (mu), used to represent the particle.

Explain Like I’m 5

A muon is like a heavier version of an electron, but it's not found in everyday objects and only exists for a tiny fraction of a second.

Fun Facts

Muons were initially proposed by Carl Anderson in 1936
They can travel through a significant distance in the Earth due to time dilation from special relativity
Muons are part of the Standard Model of particle physics

FAQ

What is a muon? It's an elementary particle similar to an electron but much heavier
Where are muons found? They are created in cosmic rays and particle accelerators
How long do muons last? Muons have a very short lifespan, around 2
2 microseconds

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

lepton

Indexes

elementary particle subatomic particle

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