An unstable particle is created in the upper atmosphere | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with Modern Physics

Chapter 37 Problem 37.12

Question

An unstable particle is created in the upper atmosphere from a cosmic ray and travels straight down toward the surface of the earth with a speed of relative to the earth. A scientist at rest on the earths surface measures that the particle is created at an altitude of (a) As measured by the scientist, how much time does it take the particle to travel the to the surface of the earth? (b) Use the length- contraction formula to calculate the distance from where the particle is created to the surface of the earth as measured in the particles frame. (c) In the particles frame, how much time does it take the particle to travel from where it is created to the surface of the earth? Calculate this time both by the time dilation formula and from the distance calculated in part (b). Do the two results agree?

Solution

Step 1 of 7)

The first step in solving 37 problem number 12 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: An unstable particle is created in the upper atmosphere from a cosmic ray and travels straight down toward the surface of the earth with a speed of relative to the earth. A scientist at rest on the earths surface measures that the particle is created at an altitude of (a) As measured by the scientist, how much time does it take the particle to travel the to the surface of the earth? (b) Use the length- contraction formula to calculate the distance from where the particle is created to the surface of the earth as measured in the particles frame. (c) In the particles frame, how much time does it take the particle to travel from where it is created to the surface of the earth? Calculate this time both by the time dilation formula and from the distance calculated in part (b). Do the two results agree?
From the textbook chapter Relativity you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.

Step 2 of 7)

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full solution

Title Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with Modern Physics 13 
Author Hugh D. Young; Roger A. Freedman; A. Lewis Ford
ISBN 9780321696861

An unstable particle is created in the upper atmosphere

Chapter 37 textbook questions

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