Muons: Heavy Cousins of the Electron

Muons are fundamental particles, similar to electrons but about 200 times heavier.
Like electrons, they carry a negative electric charge and spin.
Muons are unstable, lasting only about 2 millionths of a second before decaying.
When they decay, they produce an electron and two neutrinos.
Muons are created naturally in the atmosphere when cosmic rays collide with air molecules.
Billions of muons rain down on Earth every day, even passing through your body.
Their ability to penetrate matter makes them useful in imaging volcanoes, pyramids, and reactors.
Muons play a key role in testing the Standard Model, especially in precision experiments.
Recent findings suggest muons may behave unexpectedly, hinting at new physics beyond the Standard Model.
Despite their short lives, muons help scientists probe the deep structure of the universe.