How long does a moun live during a measurement

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties and behavior of muons, specifically focusing on their kinetic energy, speed, momentum, and lifetime during measurements. The original poster is particularly struggling with understanding the relationship between energy uncertainty and time uncertainty as it pertains to muon lifetime calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the uncertainty principle for energy and time, questioning the derivation of specific values related to energy uncertainty and Planck's constant. The original poster seeks clarification on how these values are obtained and their relevance to the problem.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the uncertainty principle and its application to the problem. However, there is still a lack of clarity regarding the specific calculations and values mentioned, indicating that further exploration and explanation are needed.

Contextual Notes

The original poster references an equation not included in their equation sheet, which may contribute to their confusion. Additionally, there is an expressed concern about the lack of responses, suggesting that the topic may require more engagement or clarification from others.

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Homework Statement


A muon with a kinetic energy of 200 ± 0.05 MeV
is produced in a linear accelerator. The rest
mass of the muon is 106 MeV/c2.
(a) Calculate the speed of the muon (in units of c),
(b) Calculate the linear momentum (in units of eV/c),
(c) How long does it live during the measurement?
(d) Find the lifetime of the muon.
(e) What is the distance traveled by muon in laboratory
before it disappears (use c = 3 x 108 m/s)? Could
this distance be measured?
(f) For identifying a muon what method do you think
that is better: (1) based on measurements of energy
or (2) based on measurements of distance? Why?

I am having trouble with part c


Homework Equations


(1 stands for naught)
E = E1 + K
deltaE dot deltaT = h (I don't understand this equation)
deltaT = h/deltaE


The Attempt at a Solution


I found this and the solution online I understand part a and b then answers are respectivley v=.938c and p=287MeV/c. It is part c that I am struggling with this is what my instructor does he says deltaE dot deltaT = h which isn't on my equation sheet so I am not sure about this. Then he states E = K + E1 remains constant, then sets deltaE=deltaK = .1MeV I think I understand where he got the equality part and I think I get how he got .1 I assume he did this .05-(-.05) = .1 = deltaK = deltaE. But I am not sure as to why he did this. Then deltaT = h/deltaE = (6.58e-16 eV.s)/(1e5 eV) = 6.58e-21s. How the heck did he obtain 6.58e-16 I am confused?
 
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Ouch! no replies yet very weird I guess maybe I was confusing or something.
 
The equation you don't understand seems to be the uncertainty principle for energy and time.
 
lol after looking up the uncertainty principle I agree that's what it is but I really need to know where the .1 and 6.58e-16 came from?
 
.1 comes from the uncertainty of energy. 6.58e-16 is Planck's constant in eV.s.
 

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