Cosmic Radiation Detection Utilizing Muon Particle Detectors to Distinguish Rates of Muon Interactions Compared with Elevation

Abstract

The purpose of researching muon particle interactions is to confirm whether elevation effects the rate of particle interactions occurring based on the elevation in which the detectors are positioned. Muons exist for 2.2 microseconds and pass through everything except for extremely dense materials or elements. Utilizing Galilean Relativity, the probability of muons existing at sea level is impossible, but it is known that they can travel to this elevation. Employing the Theory of Special Relativity, the probability of these particles existing at sea level is realistic. Throughout the project, muon particle detectors will be taken to multiple locations to document various readings of muon particle interactions compared with elevation. These elevations will range from mountain altitudes to sea level and attempt to determine an accurate trend line for the cosmic radiation occurring based on the muon particles being detected. By stacking the detectors, the number of vertical trajectory muons will be found, and the horizontal trajectory muons will be neglected. Using the data collected during the last few months, the goal is to determine if the amount of muons detected is affected by the elevation.