Question

Assume that the north american continent can be represented by a slab of rock 4650 km on a side and 37 km deep and that the rock has an average mass density of 2800 kg/m³. 3 the continent is moving at the rate of about 1.2 cm/year. what is the mass of the continent? answer in units of kg.

Answer 1

To find the mass of the North American continent, convert dimensions to meters, calculate the volume, and then use the average mass density to find the mass in kilograms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mass of the North American continent can be calculated using the formula for the mass of a rectangular prism: mass = volume × density. First, convert the dimensions of the continent into meters: 4650 km = 4650000 m, and 37 km = 37000 m. Then, calculate the volume: volume = 4650000 m × 4650000 m × 37000 m.

Now, calculate the mass with the given density of 2800 kg/m³: mass = volume × density = (4650000 m × 4650000 m × 37000 m) × 2800 kg/m³. Completing the calculation yields the mass of the continent in kilograms.