Question

A finch rides on the back of a Galapagos tortoise, which walks at the stately pace of 0.060 m/s. After 1.1 minutes the finch tires of the tortoise's slow pace, and takes flight in the same direction for another 1.5 minutes at 12 m/s.

1)What was the average speed of the finch for this 2.6-minute interval? Express your answer using two significant figures.

Answer 1

Average speed will be equal to 6.93 m/sec

Step-by-step explanation:

We have given speed of tortoise
`v_t=0.06m/sec`

Time t = 1.1 minute

As 1 minute = 60 sec

So 1.1 minute = 1.1×60 = 66 sec

So distance traveled by tortoise = speed ×time = 0.06×66 = 2.16 m

Now speed of finch
`v_f=12m/sec`

Time t = 1.5 minute

As 1 minute = 1.5×60 = 90 sec

So distance traveled by finch = 12×90 = 1080 m

So total distance traveled = 1080+2.16 = 1082.16 m

Total time = 2.6 minute = 156 sec

So average speed
`=(total\ distance)/(total\ time )=(1082.16)/(156)=6.93m/sec`