Observations on the Penetrating Component of Extensive Air Showers

Abstract

The variation in the composition of the penetrating component of extensive air showers at sea-level has been investigated as a function of shower density. The proportion of N-particles in the penetrating component was observed to decrease as the shower density decreased. It is suggested that this behaviour is due to the filtering action of the atmosphere on the more absorbable particles in the nuclear cascade which has passed maximum development.