kaon

[ key-on ]

noun

, Physics.

1. a meson with strangeness +1 and either positive or zero electric charge, or its antiparticle, with strangeness −1 and either negative or zero electric charge. : K

kaon

/ ˈkeɪɒn /

noun

1. a meson that has a positive or negative charge and a rest mass of about 966 electron masses, or no charge and a rest mass of 974 electron masses Also calledK-meson

kaon

/ kā′ŏn′ /

1. Any of three unstable mesons, one having charge +1 and a mass of 966 electron masses, and two being electrically neutral, with a mass 974 electron masses. Their half-life is approximately 10 ⁻⁸ seconds, and they decay through the weak force. Their decay patterns suggest that CP invariance may be violated.
2. Also called K-meson K particle
3. See Table at subatomic particle

Other Words From

• ka·onic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of kaon¹

1955–60; ka- (spelling of name of letter k ) + (mes)on

Word History and Origins

Origin of kaon¹

C20: ka representing the letter k + ( mes ) on

Example Sentences

The track she was looking at, later labelled k, was evidence of an unknown particle, now known as the kaon or K meson.

From BBC

However, some other anomalies, including some recorded in B-meson decays that do not involve kaons, could still turn out to be real, Isidori adds.

From Scientific American

So, in addition to the muon or electron, a collision will typically produce a spurt of other particles such as pions, kaons, protons, and neutrons.

From Science Magazine

In the 1960s, for example, rare decays of kaons hinted at the existence of the charm quark before it was directly discovered.

From Scientific American

Both kaons and B mesons are made of quarks, the same kinds of particles that make up protons and neutrons, the building blocks of ordinary matter.

From New York Times