Radioactive muons formed high in the atmosphere have an average lifetime of 2 millionths of a second and travel toward Earth at nearly the speed of light.They are so high they should have decayed by the time they reach the Earth's surface,according to pre-relativity physics.They don't because they
A)live longer due to time dilation.
B)travel a shorter distance due to length contraction.
C)either of these
D)neither of these

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both time dilation and length contraction are effects of special relativity that allow muons to reach the Earth's surface. Time dilation means they experience a longer lifetime in the Earth's frame, and length contraction means the distance they travel is shorter in their own frame.

Radioactive Muons Formed High in the Atmosphere Have an Average