Question

You observe an oil spill that occurred 28.0 hours ago, and oil has diffused a root-mean-squared distance across the surface of the ocean of 277 m. some time later you make a second observation that the spill has diffused a total of 447 m. how much time passed between the two observations?

Answer 1

The time passed between the two observations is approximately 17.11 hours.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the time passed between the two observations, we need to calculate the rate of diffusion.

First, calculate the rate of diffusion between the first and second observation:

Rate of diffusion = Total distance / Time

Let's assume the time between the two observations is x hours.

For the first observation, the distance is 277m and the time is 28 hours.

So, the rate of diffusion from the first observation is 277/28 = 9.89 m/hr.

For the second observation, the total distance is 447m and the time is (28 + x) hours.

So, the rate of diffusion from the second observation is 447/(28 + x) m/hr.

Since the rates of diffusion for both observations should be equal, we can solve for x:

9.89 = 447/(28 + x)

Cross multiplying, we get:

9.89(28 + x) = 447

Now, solve for x:

277.72 + 9.89x = 447

9.89x = 447 - 277.72

9.89x = 169.28

x = 169.28/9.89

x ≈ 17.11 hours

Therefore, approximately 17.11 hours passed between the two observations.