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Homework Statement
a burst of muons is produced by a cosmic ray interacting in the upper atmosphere. They travel towards the Earth's surface with an average speed of 0.99c. If 1% survive to reach ground level, estimate the height of the burst.
muon mean lifetime is 2.2 x 10^-6 s
The Attempt at a Solution
well i guess the mean lifetime is given in the muon frame..
therefore mean lifetime in labf = 2.2 x 10^-6 x 1/lorentz factor
then i continue, using A = Ao e^-lambda t
where lambda = ln2/T(1/2)
where T(1/2) is the half life, i.e. half of the mean lifetime i calculated above..
then when i found the time, i just used dist = speed x time where speed = 0.99c to calculate the distance..but it didnt come up with the right answer..
where am i going wrong?
thanks