Maine said:I recently saw on an episode of NOVA yesterday, a machine made to detect muons ... I haven't heard of them before this. What it was used for was too see inside a volcano, Successful ? ... Yes. How did it work I have no idea. What exactly is this and does anyone else know of any other projects that have used this particle?
phinds said:Muon detection from the upper atmosphere has been used to validate time dilation. You can look it up on the internet or do a forum search here.
Drakkith said:Do you have a name for this experiment or machine?
Drakkith said:Ahah! Here we go. See here for some great info: http://www.eri.u-tokyo.ac.jp/yaoki/2009GRL.pdf
Muons are subatomic particles that are naturally produced in the upper atmosphere when cosmic rays collide with molecules in the air. They have a short lifespan of only 2.2 microseconds, but they can travel at nearly the speed of light. Scientists use muons to study the inner structure of materials and to detect hidden voids or cavities in structures like pyramids or volcanoes.
2)Muons can be detected using specialized detectors that are designed to measure the particles' energy and direction. These detectors often use layers of materials like lead or plastic to capture and measure the particles as they pass through. The data collected from these detectors can then be used to create a 3D image of the muon's path, which can reveal the internal structure of objects and materials.
3)Muons can be used to study the density and composition of volcanic ash and rock, which can provide valuable information about a volcano's activity and potential for eruption. By measuring the amount of muons that pass through a volcano, scientists can estimate the density of the material and identify potential areas of weakness or instability.
4)While muons can provide valuable information about a volcano's structure and activity, they cannot be used to predict exact eruption times. However, by continuously monitoring the density and composition of volcanic materials using muons, scientists may be able to identify patterns or changes that could indicate an impending eruption.
5)Since muons are naturally occurring and have extremely low energy levels, there are no known risks associated with their use in volcano research. However, the detectors and equipment used to detect muons may be sensitive to environmental factors like weather or vibrations, so proper precautions and calibration must be taken to ensure accurate measurements.