Question

If the Nubian Plate is moving eastward at 2 centimeters per year, and the Somali plate is also moving eastward but at a rate of 2.75 centimeters per year, how many kilometers apart will the two plates be after 45 million years?

Answer 1

The answer is 4662.5 kilometers!

Step-by-step explanation:

1. The speed of the Nubian Plate is 2.0 cm per year, which is 2e-5 km per year.
2. The speed of the Somali Plate is 2.75 cm per year, which is 2.75e-5 km per year.
3. The current distance between these two plates is 5000 km (internet sources).
4. After 45 million years, the Nubian plate will have moved 900 km. This is from the calculation as under:

S = V . t

S = (2e-5) . (45,000,000)

S = 900 km --- the new distance between the plates will be 5000 km + 900 km = 5,900 km

• In the same way, the distance which the Somali plate will have moved after 45 million years will be:

S = (2.75e-5) . (45,000,000)

S = 1237.5 km

which is the distance covered by the Somali Plate out of the new distance of 5,900 km.

• So that: (5,900 km - 1237.5 km) will give the new distance between the plates after 45 million years:

4662.5 kilometers

Answer 2

Use the rate equation to find the distance that each plate moves. Begin by multiplying speed by time for the Nubian Plate:

distance = speed × time

= 2 cm/yr × 45,000,000 yr

= 90,000,000 cm

The question requires the distance in units of kilometers. Convert the distance using the ratio, 1 km = 100,000 cm:

90,000,000 cm X 1km/100,000 cm = 900km

Next, multiply speed by time for the Somali Plate:

distance = speed × time

= 2.75 cm/yr × 45,000,000 yr

= 123,750,000 cm

The question requires the distance in units of kilometers. Convert the distance using the ratio, 1 km = 100,000 cm:

123,750,000cm X 1km/ 100,000 cm = 1,237.5 km

Finally, subtract the distance traveled by the Nubian Plate from that of the Somali Plate:

1,237.5 km - 900 km = 337.5 km

The Nubian and the Somali Plates will be approximately 337.5 kilometers apart in 45 million years.

Explanation: This was the exact answer on edmentum