I know that the lifetime of a muon is about 2.2 microseconds. In terms of relativity, is that measured in the muon's reference frame, or the earth's reference frame? I'm doing a question about how a muon travelling at 0.99c from 10 km up in the atmosphere can make the 30 microsecond trip to the earth's surface within it's lifetime.
2007-09-24 12:47:13 · 2 answers · asked by jsprplc2006 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The muon's reference frame. Its lifetime (probabilistic) is governed by its 'clock'. The 2.2us is its half-life, or mean lifetime. Its lifetime is independent of the earth or any other object.
2007-09-24 13:50:38 · answer #1 · answered by Frank N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
always measured from the earths reference frame, if measured from the muons reference frame the velocity would be 0. as relative to itself, its standing still.
2007-09-24 20:05:49 · answer #2 · answered by mrzwink 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋