The average tectonic plate moves at the rate of 0.006 m per year. How many meters would it move in 2×106

years? Write the answer in scientific notation, expressed to the exact decimal place.(1 point)
m

1 answer

To find out how many meters a tectonic plate would move in \(2 \times 10^6\) years at a rate of \(0.006\) meters per year, we can use the following calculation:

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

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

Now, performing the multiplication:

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

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

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

We can express \(0.012\) in scientific notation:

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

Thus,

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

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

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