Question

In the theory of plate tectonics, various segments of Earths crust, called plates, move toward and away from each other. In one instance, the plate that consists of the Indian subcontinent drifted from southeastern Africe to its current position in asia, traveling at a speed of 15cm/y. This plate collided with Asia, forming the Himalayan mountain range in the process. Most of this formation occurred during the last 1.00 x 10^7 years, during which time the indian subcontinents motion has slowed to about 5 cm/y. What has been the acceleration in units of cm/y^2, of the indian subcontinent during this time period.

Answer 1

-1.00 × 10⁻⁶ cm/y²

Step-by-step explanation:

Using a = (v - u)/t where a = acceleration of the indian subcontinent, v = final speed of the indian subcontinent = 5 cm/y, u = initial speed of the indian subcontinent = 15 cm/y, and t = time of motion of the indian subcontinent = 1.00 × 10⁷ years.

Substituting the values of the variables, we find the acceleration of the indian subcontinent, a = (v - u)/t = (5 cm/y - 15 cm/y)/1.00 × 10⁷ years = -10 cm/y ÷ 1.00 × 10⁷ years = -1.00 × 10⁻⁶ cm/y²