Question

The average tectonic plate moves at a rate of 0.006 m per year. How many meters would it move in 2 × 10⁶ years? Write the answer in scientific notation expressed to the exact decimal place.

A) 1.2 × 10⁴ m
B) 1.2 × 10³ m
C) 1.2 × 10² m
D) 1.2 × 10¹ m

Answer 1

The tectonic plate would move 1.2 × 10⁴ meters in 2 × 10⁶ years, which can be calculated by multiplying the average speed of plate movement per year by the number of years.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question involves calculating the distance a tectonic plate would move in a certain period given its average speed. Tectonic plates are large segments of the Earth's crust that move at different speeds, often compared to the rate at which human hair grows. The average speed provided in the question is 0.006 m per year.

To find out how far a tectonic plate would move in 2 × 10⁶ years, we simply multiply the rate of movement per year by the number of years:

• Distance moved in one year = 0.006 m
• Distance moved in 2 × 10⁶ years = 0.006 m/year × 2 × 10⁶ years

By multiplying these numbers together, we get:

Distance moved = 0.006 m/year × 2 × 10⁶ years = 1.2 × 10⁴ m

This result is in scientific notation to the exact decimal place, and therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is Option A) 1.2 × 10⁴ m.