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mesic atom
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mesic atom

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mesic atom, atom in which one electron is replaced by a negative muon or a negative pion (pi meson). The muon or pion, after being slowed down in matter, is captured in a high atomic orbit and cascades down, ejecting electrons by the Auger effect or radiating visible light or X-ray photons, to an orbit with a radius less than 1/200 that of the corresponding electron orbit. From studies of mesic atoms, scientists have learned much about nuclear size, distribution of electric charge within nuclei, and the mass of pions.

This article was most recently revised and updated by William L. Hosch.