Muons of a few GeV energy (figure 1.4) deposit 2 MeV/g/cm2 in the water of the detector. The muons are minimum ionizing particles and they pass through the water leaving an amount of energy proportional to their track length. A vertical muon leaves on average 240 MeV (see section 1.4 for the definition of the VEM unit).
Electrons and positrons deposit much more energy in water than muons, due to the different ratio between mass and charge. The energy they carry when arriving at the surface (∼ 10 MeV, figure 1.4) is deposited in less than 5 cm.
Photons deposit their energy over a radiation length (∼ 36 cm in water). Other components of the extensive air shower are negligible.
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