Table of Contents
How do you find the speed of a muon?
In order to determine the speed of a muon, we had to measure the distance between the first and last counters. This was determined to be 2.96M. We then converted the speed obtained from our Excel chart from days to seconds, which was figured to be 1.47 x 10^-8.
How did muons prove time dilation?
Muons travel at relativistic speeds and are unstable particles with a mean lifetime at rest T0 ~ 2.2 µs. At the relativistic speeds the muons experience time dilation. This dilation allows them to reach the Earth’s surface before they decay.
How far does a muon travel before decaying?
about 700 meters
Muons are created when cosmic rays traveling through space strike molecules in the atmosphere, some 10 kilometers above Earth’s surface. Even moving at nearly the speed of light, a muon should only be able to travel about 700 meters before it decays, so you might think no muons could ever reach Earth.
Can we measure cosmic energy?
Ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) are charged particles of energies above 1018 eV that originate outside the Galaxy. Because the flux of the UHECRs at Earth is very small, the only practical way of observing UHECRs is by measuring the extensive air showers produced by UHECRs in the atmosphere.
What is the distance to the ground from the point of view of the muon?
(c) The muon observes the distance to the ground contracted by a factor of γ: l′ = (10 km)/22.4 = 440 m. So the average 0.999c muon reaches the ground.
Can you measure time dilation?
Now, a German facility has measured time dilation very accurately. But in a twist, these measurements were performed on things moving at just under 40 percent of the speed of light in the laboratory. The researchers tested how clocks slow down when they are in motion.
How long does the muon survive according to an observer at rest on earth?
Part (a) Therefore, the lifetime of muon according to an observer at rest with respect to earth is 1.549×10−5s 1.549 × 10 − 5 s .
How far does the muon travel as viewed by an observer on earth?
2.01 km
To an observer on Earth, the muon travels at 0.950c for 7.05 μs from the time it is produced until it decays. Therefore, it travels a distance relative to Earth of: L 0 = v Δ t = ( 0.950 ) ( 3.00 × 10 8 m/s ) ( 7.05 × 10 −6 s ) = 2.01 km.
How is cosmic rays measured?
The cosmic ray measurements in the atmosphere are made with standard radiosondes in which the charged particle detectors are Geiger counter (hereafter counter) and telescope consisting of two counters and with 7 mm Al plate between them.
How far does the muon travel as viewed by an observer on Earth?