Riding With a Particle: Measuring Its Lifetime

Remember that when multiplying or dividing with significant figures, your result should have the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the least number of significant figures. In summary, the particle's lifetime is 2.96 x 10^-8 seconds according to a hypothetical person riding along with it.
  • #1
cshelbythec
1
0
A particle lives for a short time before breaking apart into other particles. Suppose it is moving at a speed of 0.996c, and an observer who is stationary in a laboratory measures the particle's lifetime to be 3.00 10-8 s.
What is the lifetime according to a hypothetical person who is riding along with the particle?




The Attempt at a Solution


I tried
t=t(0)/(1-v2/c2)^1/2
where t=3.00 10-8s and I'm finding t(0) proper.
my answer is 3 10-9 which is wrong. what am I doing wrong?
 
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  • #2
cshelbythec said:
A particle lives for a short time before breaking apart into other particles. Suppose it is moving at a speed of 0.996c, and an observer who is stationary in a laboratory measures the particle's lifetime to be 3.00 10-8 s.
What is the lifetime according to a hypothetical person who is riding along with the particle?




The Attempt at a Solution


I tried
t=t(0)/(1-v2/c2)^1/2
where t=3.00 10-8s and I'm finding t(0) proper.
my answer is 3 10-9 which is wrong. what am I doing wrong?
i have forgotten this stuff, but try multiplying it if dividing doesn't work
 
  • #3
cshelbythec said:
my answer is 3 10-9 which is wrong. what am I doing wrong?
I suggest carrying more significant figures in your answer.
 

FAQ: Riding With a Particle: Measuring Its Lifetime

What is a particle's lifetime and why is it important to measure?

A particle's lifetime is the amount of time it exists before decaying or breaking apart. Measuring a particle's lifetime is important because it can provide valuable information about the properties and behavior of the particle, which can help us better understand the fundamental building blocks of our universe.

How is the lifetime of a particle measured?

The lifetime of a particle is typically measured using a particle accelerator, which allows the particle to be accelerated to high speeds and then detected as it decays. Scientists can also use detectors to measure the energy, momentum, and other properties of the decaying particles, which can help determine their lifetime.

What challenges are involved in measuring the lifetime of a particle?

Measuring the lifetime of a particle can be challenging due to the short timescales involved. Some particles have lifetimes of only a few seconds or even milliseconds, which requires precise and fast detection methods. Additionally, particles may have very low decay rates, making it difficult to collect enough data to accurately measure their lifetime.

How does the lifetime of a particle impact our understanding of the universe?

The lifetime of a particle is a fundamental property that can provide insight into the structure and behavior of the universe. By measuring particle lifetimes, scientists can test and refine theories about the fundamental forces and interactions that govern the universe, such as the Standard Model of particle physics.

Are there any practical applications for measuring particle lifetimes?

While the primary goal of measuring particle lifetimes is to expand our understanding of the universe, there are also some practical applications. For example, the discovery of particles with longer lifetimes has led to the development of new medical imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET) scans, which use radioactive particles with longer lifetimes to create detailed images of the body.

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