1. Muons are unstable subatomic particles with an average lifetime of 2.2 us that decay into electrons and two types of neutrinos. They are produced when cosmic ray protons hit atomic nuclei in the Earth's atmosphere 10. km above sea level. a. At 0.999 c, what is the greatest distance (rest frame) a muon could travel in its average lifetime? b. Thus, the problem: muons could never reach the ground! However, the 2.2 µs average lifetime is from the muon's point of view. To an observer on the ground, what is the average lifetime of a muon? How far could a muon travel in this time? Will the muon reach the ground, from the point of view of an observer on the ground? c. To the muon, how far is the 10. km distance to the ground? In its average lifetime and its speed of 0.999 c, will it be able to make it to the ground?
1. Muons are unstable subatomic particles with an average lifetime of 2.2 us that decay into electrons and two types of neutrinos. They are produced when cosmic ray protons hit atomic nuclei in the Earth's atmosphere 10. km above sea level. a. At 0.999 c, what is the greatest distance (rest frame) a muon could travel in its average lifetime? b. Thus, the problem: muons could never reach the ground! However, the 2.2 µs average lifetime is from the muon's point of view. To an observer on the ground, what is the average lifetime of a muon? How far could a muon travel in this time? Will the muon reach the ground, from the point of view of an observer on the ground? c. To the muon, how far is the 10. km distance to the ground? In its average lifetime and its speed of 0.999 c, will it be able to make it to the ground?
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