Question

the average tectonic plat moves at the rate of 0.006m per year how many meters would it move in 2x10^6 years write in scientific notation

Answer 1

To find out how far a tectonic plate would move in \(2 \times 10^6\) years, you multiply the rate of movement by the time:

\[
\text{Distance} = \text{Rate} \times \text{Time}
\]

Given that the average tectonic plate moves at a rate of \(0.006\) meters per year, we can set up the calculation:

\[
\text{Distance} = 0.006 \, \text{m/year} \times 2 \times 10^6 \, \text{years}
\]

Now, performing the multiplication:

\[
\text{Distance} = 0.006 \times 2 \times 10^6
\]

First, we multiply \(0.006\) by \(2\):

\[
0.006 \times 2 = 0.012
\]

Now, we multiply this by \(10^6\):

\[
\text{Distance} = 0.012 \times 10^6
\]

To express \(0.012\) in scientific notation, it can be written as \(1.2 \times 10^{-2}\). Therefore:

\[
\text{Distance} = 1.2 \times 10^{-2} \times 10^6 = 1.2 \times 10^{4} \, \text{m}
\]

So, the tectonic plate would move \(1.2 \times 10^{4}\) meters in \(2 \times 10^6\) years.