The average tectonic plate moves at the rate of 0.006 m per year. How many meters would it move in 2 × 10^6 years? Write the answer in scientific notation, expressed to the exact decimal place.
To find the total distance the tectonic plate would move in 2 × 10^6 years, we multiply the rate of movement by the number of years:
0.006 m/year * 2 × 10^6 years = 12,000 m
Thus, the tectonic plate would move 12,000 meters in 2 × 10^6 years.
In scientific notation, this is 1.2 × 10^4 m.
To calculate the distance the tectonic plate would move in 2 × 10^6 years, we can use the formula:
Distance = Rate × Time
Given:
Rate = 0.006 m/year
Time = 2 × 10^6 years
Substituting the values into the formula:
Distance = 0.006 m/year × (2 × 10^6 years)
Next, we simplify:
Distance = 0.006 × 2 × 10^6 m
Multiplying the numbers:
Distance = 0.012 × 10^6 m
To express the answer in scientific notation, we write the coefficient as a number between 1 and 10 and adjust the exponent accordingly:
Distance = 1.2 × 10^(-2 + 6) m
Simplifying the exponent:
Distance = 1.2 × 10^4 m
Therefore, the tectonic plate would move 1.2 × 10^4 meters in 2 × 10^6 years, expressed in scientific notation to the exact decimal place.
To calculate the distance a tectonic plate would move in 2 × 10^6 years, you need to multiply the rate of movement by the time period. The mathematical expression for this calculation is:
Distance = Rate × Time
Given that the average tectonic plate moves at a rate of 0.006 m per year and the time period is 2 × 10^6 years, the calculation would be as follows:
Distance = 0.006 m/year × 2 × 10^6 years
To multiply the values in scientific notation, you multiply the coefficients and add the exponents:
Distance = 0.006 × 2 × 10^6 m
= 0.012 × 10^6 m
Now, let's convert 0.012 × 10^6 m to scientific notation:
Since 0.012 is less than 1, we need to move the decimal point to the right until it is to the left of the first non-zero digit, which is 1:
0.012 × 10^6 = 1.2 × 10^-2 × 10^6
Now, when you multiply powers of 10, you add the exponents:
1.2 × 10^-2 × 10^6 = 1.2 × 10^(6 - 2)
= 1.2 × 10^4
So, the tectonic plate would move 1.2 × 10^4 meters in 2 × 10^6 years.