An unstable particle is created in the upper atmosphere from a cosmic ray and travels straight
down toward the surface of the earth with a speed of 0.99540c relative to the earth. A scientist
at rest on the earth’s surface measures that the particle is created at an altitude of 45Km
a) As measured by the scientist, how much time does it take the particle to travel the 45Km to
the surface of the earth?
b) Use the length-contraction formula to calculate the distance from where the particle is created
to the surface of the earth as measured in the particle’s frame.
c) In the particle’s frame, how much time does it take the particle to travel from where it is
created to the surface of the earth? Calculate this time both by the time dilation formula and
from the distance calculated in part (b). Do the two results agree?
