👉 The Olympic Light Particles, also known as muons, are subatomic particles that play a crucial role in particle physics. Discovered in 1936 by Carl Anderson, these particles are essentially electrons with a significant increase in mass, approximately 200 times greater than that of an electron. They are created when high-energy cosmic rays interact with Earth's atmosphere, producing a cascade of secondary particles known as an air shower. Muons are unique because they have a relatively long lifetime and can travel great distances through matter, making them valuable for studying the fundamental properties of matter and the forces that govern it. Despite their massive size compared to electrons, muons can penetrate thick layers of material, such as lead, and are detected in particle accelerators and cosmic ray observatories. Their study has led to significant insights into quantum electrodynamics and the behavior of particles under extreme conditions, contributing to our understanding of the universe at its most fundamental level.
