Question

A microbiologist measures the speed of a swimming bacterium. the bacterium covers a distance of 2.16 microns in 5.0 seconds. the biologist wished to compare the speed of the bacteria with other animals, but the speeds of other animals are listed in kilometers per hour. what is the speed of the bacterium in kilometers per hour? (1 micron = 1 x 10–6 m) use scientific notation and express your answer to the correct number of significant figures. you must show your work for full credit.

Answer 1

Speed of the bacteria,
`v=1.55* 10^(-6)\ km/h`

Explanation:

Given that,

Distance covered by the bacterium,
`d=2.16\ microns=2.16* 10^(-6)\ m`

Time taken, t = 5 seconds

We need to find the speed of the bacterium. Mathematically, it is given by :

`v=(d)/(t)`

`v=(2.16* 10^(-6))/(5)`

`v=4.32* 10^(-7)\ m/s`

Since, 1 km = 1000 m

1 hour = 3600 s

v = 0.00000155 km/h

or

`v=1.55* 10^(-6)\ km/h`

So, the speed of the bacteria is
`1.55* 10^(-6)\ km/h`. Hence, this is the required solution.