If a K0 meson at rest decays in 0.89 *10-10 s, how far will a K0 meson moving at 0.96 c travel through a bubble chamber?
A)17 cm
B)1.1 cm
C)53 cm
D)42 mm
E)9.2 cm

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The distance traveled by a particle can be calculated using the formula:

distance = velocity x time

Since the K0 meson is moving at 0.96 c, its velocity is 0.96 times the speed of light, which is approximately 2.88 x 10^8 m/s. The time it takes for the K0 meson to decay is given as 0.89 x 10^-10 s.

Therefore, the distance traveled by the K0 meson can be calculated as:

distance = velocity x time
distance = (2.88 x 10^8 m/s) x (0.89 x 10^-10 s)
distance ≈ 0.0256 m = 2.56 cm

However, this is the distance traveled in vacuum. In a bubble chamber, the particle will interact with the particles in the chamber, which will cause it to slow down and change direction. As a result, the actual distance traveled by the K0 meson in the bubble chamber will be less than 2.56 cm.

Of the given answer choices, the closest value to 2.56 cm is 9.2 cm, which is option E.

If a K0 Meson at Rest Decays in 0