kaon
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. Symbol: K
Origin of kaon
1- Also called K meson, K-meson.
Other words from kaon
- ka·on·ic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for kaon
/ (ˈkeɪɒn) /
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 called: K-meson
Origin of kaon
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for kaon
[ kā′ŏn′ ]
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. Also called K-meson K particle See Table at subatomic particle.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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