Hey bot… the average tectonic plate moves at the rate of 0.006 m per year. How many meters would it move in 2 x 10^6 years? Write the answer in scientific notation, expressed to the exact decimal place.

Answer 1

To find out how many meters a tectonic plate would move in \(2 \times 10^6\) years, we can use the formula:

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

Given:

• Rate = \(0.006 , \text{m/year}\)
• Time = \(2 \times 10^6 , \text{years}\)

Now substitute the values into the formula:

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

Calculating this gives:

\[ \text{Distance} = 0.006 \times 2 \times 10^6 = 0.012 \times 10^6 \]

Now simplify \(0.012\):

\[ 0.012 = 1.2 \times 10^{-2} \]

Thus,

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

Therefore, the total distance the tectonic plate would move in \(2 \times 10^6\) years is:

\[ \boxed{1.2 \times 10^4} , \text{meters} \]