Question

Tectonic plates are large segments of the earth's crust that move slowly. Suppose that one such plate has an average speed of 4.0 cm/year. What distance (in nanometers, 10-9 m) does it move in 1.0 s at this speed

Answer 1

1.267 nanometers.

Step-by-step explanation:

From the question,

Speed = distance/time.

S = d/t.................. Equation 1

Make d the subject of the equation,

d = S×t ............................... Equation 2

Given: S = 4.0 cm/year, t = 1 seconds = 3.17×10⁻⁸ years

Substitute into equation 2

d = 4×3.17×10⁻⁸ =

12.68×10⁻⁸ cm = 12.67×10⁻⁸×10⁷

d = 1.267 nanometers.

Hence the Tectonic plates move 1.267 nanometers.