Relativity

Muon decay and Michelson Morley

1 Muon decay
Muons are particles created when high
energy cosmic rays collide with atoms in
outer atmsophere
measured half life in lab of 1.53 s
measured v = 0.994 c at top of mountain
1.9 km high, t/f take 6.4 s to reach base
of mounatin
6.4 s ~ 4x half life so expect ~ 1/16 or 7%
reach ground but get 73% reach ground
must use dilated half life since muons
moving relative to observers

( ) = 9.14 x 1.53 s = 14 s

T1 = T1
2

journey time of t = 6.4 s << 14 s t/f

expect > 50% reach ground
N
= e t
No

=e

ln 2
T1

and travel times.

arrange interferometer with one
direction same as motion of Earth observe fringes
then rotate through 90 - shift of fringes
allows v of E through ether to be
determined
no fringe shift detected
Lorentz and Fitzgerald concluded lenths
shortened when light enters Es
atmosphere >> length contraction eqn
(correct eqn, wrong reasoning)
Einstein propsed no evidence of ether t/f
no ether
M-M expt regarded as most important
failed expt in history of science

ln 2

6. 4

= e 14
= 0.73
ie special relativity predicts 73 % reach
ground
2 Michelson Morley Experiment
refer h/o - PDF doc by Weisstein
(scienceworld.wolfram.com)
mid 1800s Michelson had measured c
precisely and accurately
all other waves were mechanical waves
>> require medium >> c depends on
speed observer wrt medium
what is medium for light? no detected
medium but assume one exists, given
name ether
so, what is speed Earth wrt ether?
Michelson devises ingenious method to
measure c

river
B

A and B both swim same distance - who

is faster? A
sketch/show Michelson interferometer
and explain how interferencce 2 light
beams produces fringes - location of
fringes depends on separation of mirrors
Steve Udy Teaching Notes

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Printed on 29/6/04