Final answer:
The speed of the muon with a mean lifetime of 2.2 us and traveling a distance of 11.3 cm before decaying is approximately 51,363.64 m/s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speed of the muon can be calculated using the distance it travels and its lifetime. Given a muon has a mean lifetime of 2.2 us (microseconds) and it makes a track 11.3 cm long before decaying, we can use the formula:
Speed = Distance / Time
First, convert the lifetime into seconds (1 us = 1e-6 s):
2.2 us = 2.2 × 10-6 s
Then, convert the track length into meters (since speed in physics is typically measured in meters per second):
11.3 cm = 0.113 m
Now we can calculate the speed:
Speed = 0.113 m / 2.2 × 10-6 s
Speed = 0.113 m / 2.2 × 10-6 s = 51,363.64 m/s
The muon's speed is approximately 51,363.64 m/s.