The average plate tectonic plate moves at the rate of 0.006 meter per year. How many meters would it move in 3 x 10 ^6 years? write the answer in scientific notation, expressed to te exact decimal place.

Answer 1

To find out how far a tectonic plate would move in \(3 \times 10^6\) years at a rate of \(0.006\) meters per year, you can use the formula:

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

Substituting in the values:

\[ \text{Distance} = 0.006 , \text{meters/year} \times 3 \times 10^6 , \text{years} \]

Calculating this gives:

\[ \text{Distance} = 0.006 \times 3 \times 10^6 = 0.018 \times 10^6 \]

Now, converting \(0.018\) into scientific notation:

\[ 0.018 = 1.8 \times 10^{-2} \]

Thus:

\[ 0.018 \times 10^6 = 1.8 \times 10^{-2} \times 10^6 = 1.8 \times 10^{4} \]

So, the tectonic plate would move:

\[ \boxed{1.8 \times 10^4} \text{ meters} \]