DP Physics (last assessment 2024)

Question 18M.3.SL.TZ1.b.i

Date	May 2018	Marks available	[Maximum mark: 2]	Reference code	18M.3.SL.TZ1.b.i
Level	SL	Paper	3	Time zone	TZ1
Command term	Calculate	Question number	b.i	Adapted from	N/A

b.i.

[Maximum mark: 2]

18M.3.SL.TZ1.b.i

Muons are created in the upper atmosphere of the Earth at an altitude of 10 km above the surface. The muons travel vertically down at a speed of 0.995c with respect to the Earth. When measured at rest the average lifetime of the muons is 2.1 μs.

Calculate, according to the theory of special relativity, the time taken for a muon to reach the ground in the reference frame of the muon.

[2]

Markscheme

$\gamma = 10$

$\Delta {t_0} =$ « $\frac{{\Delta t}}{\gamma } = \frac{{34}}{{10}} =$ » 3.4 «μs»

[2 marks]

Syllabus sections

Option A: Relativity

Option A: Relativity » Option A: Relativity (Core topics) » A.2 – Lorentz transformations

Option A: Relativity » Option A: Relativity (Core topics)

Question 18M.3.SL.TZ1.b.i

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