--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

Explain Muon experiment

Muon experiment: The experiment that demonstrates proves the prediction of time dilation by the special relativity. Muons, that are short-lived subatomic particles, are made with enormous energy in the upper environment by the interaction of energetic cosmic rays. The muons have a very short half life in their own reference frame, around 2.2 us. As they are travelling very near to c, though, time dilation effects must become significant. A naive computation would point out that, without special relativistic effects, the muons would travel on the average only around 700 m before decaying, never accomplishing the surface of the Earth. The observations reveal, though, that significant numbers of muons do reach the Earth. The elucidation is that muon is in a moving frame of reference, and therefore time is slowed down for the muons associative to the Earth, efficiently extending the half life of the muons associative to the Earth, permitting some of them to reach the surface.

   Related Questions in Physics

  • Q : Define Equivalence principle

    Equivalence principle: The fundamental postulate of Sir Einstein’s general theory of relativity that posits that acceleration is basically indistinguishable from the gravitational field. In another words, when you are in an elevator that is utte

    		•
  • Q : What is Maxwells demon Maxwell's demon

    Maxwell's demon (J.C. Maxwell): A contemplation experiment describing the concepts of entropy. We contain a container of gas that is partitioned into two equivalent sides; each side is in thermal equilibrium with the other. The walls and the separatio

    		•
  • Q : Define Hertz or SI unit of frequency

    Define Hertz or SI unit of frequency: Hertz: Hz (after H. Hertz, 1857-1894): The derived SI unit of frequency, stated as a frequency of 1 cycle per s; it therefore has units of s-1.

    		•
  • Q : Problem on waveforms The voltage v mV

    The voltage v mV in a circuit is given by: v = 20 sin (200 Πt - 0.7854)           where t is the time in seconds (a) State the amplitude, frequency, period and phase angle of v.(b) Determine the initial voltage.(c) Determin

    		•
  • Q : Define Superconductivity

    Superconductivity: The phenomenon by which, at adequately low temperatures, a conductor can conduct the charge with zero (0) resistance. The current theory for describing superconductivity is the BCS theory.

    		•
  • Q : Define Ideal gas constant or universal

    Define Ideal gas constant or universal molar gas constant? Ideal gas constant: or universal molar gas constant; R: The constant which appears in the ideal gas equation. It is equivalent to

    		•
  • Q : Define Lumen or SI unit of luminous flux

    Lumen: lm: The derived SI unit of luminous flux, stated as the luminous flux produced by a uniform point source of 1 cd releasing its luminous energy over a solid angle of 1 sr; it therefore has units of cd sr.

    		•
  • Q : Fission and Fusion What do you mean by

    What do you mean by Fission and Fusion?

    		•
  • Q : Explain Event horizon Event horizon:

    Event horizon: The radius which a spherical mass should be compressed to in order to convert it into a black hole, or the radius at which the time and space switch responsibilities. Once within the event horizon, it is basically impossible to escape t

    		•
  • Q : Define Coulomb or SI unit of electric

    Coulomb: C (after C. de Coulomb, 1736-1806): The derived SI unit of an electric charge, stated as the quantity of charge shifted by a current of 1 A in a period of 1 s; it therefore has units of A s.

    		•