Question

The current theory of the structure of the Earth, called plate tectonics, tells us that the continents are in constant motion.

Assume that the North American continent can be represented by a slab of rock 4450 km on a side and 31 km deep and that the rock has an average mass density of 2620 kg/m3.
The continent is moving at the rate of about 1 cm/year.
What is the mass of the continent? Answer in units of kg.
(part 2 of 3)
What is the kinetic energy of the continent? Answer in units of J.
(part 3 of 3)
A jogger (of mass 77 kg) has the same kinetic energy as that of the continent.
What would his speed be? Answer in units of m/s.

Answer 1

(a) m = 1.6 x 10²¹ kg

(b) K.E = 2.536 x 10¹¹ J

(c) v = 7.12 x 10⁵ m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

(a)

First we find the volume of the continent:

V = L*W*H

where,

V = Volume of Slab = ?

L = Length of Slab = 4450 km = 4.45 x 10⁶ m

W = Width of Slab = 4450 km = 4.45 x 10⁶ m

H = Height of Slab = 31 km = 3.1 x 10⁴ m

Therefore,

V = (4.45 x 10⁶ m)(4.45 x 10⁶ m)(3.1 x 10⁴ m)

V = 6.138 x 10¹⁷ m³

Now, we find the mass:

m = density*V

m = (2620 kg/m³)(6.138 x 10¹⁷ m³)

m = 1.6 x 10²¹ kg

(b)

The kinetic energy will be:

K.E = (1/2)mv²

where,

v = speed = (1 cm/year)(0.01 m/1 cm)(1 year/365 days)(1 day/24 h)(1 h/3600 s)

v = 3.17 x 10⁻¹⁰ m/s

Therefore,

K.E = (1/2)(1.6 x 10²¹ kg)(3.17 x 10⁻¹⁰ m/s)²

K.E = 2.536 x 10¹¹ J

(c)

For the same kinetic energy but mass = 77 kg:

K.E = (1/2)mv²

2.536 x 10¹¹ J = (1/2)(77 kg)v²

v = √(2)(2.536 x 10¹¹ J)

v = 7.12 x 10⁵ m/s