pesto said:Hi everyone. I was just watching a show called Time on Discovery science where our host takes us to the Alps and shows us a device which counts muons created by light rays hitting the atmosphere. I tried googling for it but came up with nothing, so I was wondering if anyone here might know where I could dig around for more information.
Thank you.
George Jones said:Are you looking for information on how muons are created, or for information on how time dllation/Lorentz contraction explains the percentage of muons that reach the detector?
The latter is explained at
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Relativ/muon.html#c1.
Make sure you click on all the links: Non-relativistic; Relativistic, Earth observer; Relativistic, muon observer; Comparison; Comments on comparison; Vary parameters.
Also, if this is the information for which you're looking, then this thread should be moved to the relativity forum.
Muons are subatomic particles that are similar to electrons but with a higher mass. They are created when cosmic rays from outer space collide with particles in the Earth's atmosphere. Studying muons can give us insight into the structure of matter and the fundamental forces of nature.
Muons can be detected using specialized equipment, such as particle detectors or cloud chambers, which track the particles as they pass through. The number of muons can be measured using a muon counter, which counts the particles that pass through a certain area in a given amount of time.
The Alps provide a unique location for studying muons because they have a high altitude and dense rock, making them an ideal location for detecting and measuring muons. This can help us understand how muons are affected by different materials and environmental conditions.
Muons are constantly bombarding the Earth from all directions, providing us with a natural source of high-energy particles to study. By studying muons, we can gain a better understanding of the structure and composition of the universe, as well as the processes that govern it.
Muon research has a wide range of potential applications, including in the fields of archaeology, geology, and environmental science. Muons can also be used to study the interior of volcanoes and monitor nuclear waste storage facilities. Additionally, muon tomography is being explored as a potential tool for medical imaging.