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)
a
m

1 answer

To calculate how many meters a tectonic plate would move in \( 2 \times 10^6 \) years at a rate of \( 0.006 \) m per year, you can use the following formula:

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

Given that the rate is \( 0.006 \) m/year and the time is \( 2 \times 10^6 \) years, we can plug in the values:

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

Calculating that gives:

\[ \text{Distance} = 0.006 \times 2 \times 10^6 \] \[ \text{Distance} = 0.012 \times 10^6 \] \[ \text{Distance} = 1.2 \times 10^4 , \text{m} \]

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

Therefore, the answer is:

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