A Compact Apparatus for Muon Lifetime Measurement and Time Dilation Demonstration in the Undergraduate Laboratory

Abstract

We describe a compact apparatus that automatically measures the charge averaged lifetime of atmospheric muons in plastic scintillator using low-cost, low-power electronics and that measures the stopping rate of atmospheric muons as a function of altitude to demonstrate relativistic time dilation. The apparatus is designed for the advanced undergraduate physics laboratory and is suitable for field measurements.

5 pages, 2 figures

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