Question

With the ability to measure the motion of land masses, continental drift has become an established fact. The North American and European continents are drifting apart at a rate of about 3 cm/y. At this rate how long will it take them to drift 450 km further apart than at present?

Answer 1

Answer:

15000000 years

Explanation:

Distance to be moved = 450 km

Speed = 3 cm/year

We need to convert km to cm

$450\times 10^3\times 10^2=450\times 10^5\ cm$

Time is given by

$t=\dfrac{Distance}{Speed}$

$\\\Rightarrow t=\dfrac{450\times 10^5}{3}$

$\\\Rightarrow t=15000000\ years$

The number of years taken to move 450 km is 15000000 years.

Answer 2

It will take them 15×10⁶ years to drift 450 km apart.

Conversion scale

1 Km = 10⁵ cm

Therefore,

450 Km = 450×10⁵ cm

Data obtained from the question

• Rate (speed) = 3 cm/y

• Distance = 450×10⁵ cm

• Time =?

Rate = distance / time

3 = 450×10⁵ / time

Cross multiply

3 × time = 450×10⁵

Divide both side by 3

Time = 450×10⁵ / 3

Time = 15×10⁶ years

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