Complete Question:
A finch rides on the back of a Galapagos tortoise, which walks
at the stately pace of 0.060 m/s. After 1.5 minutes the finch tires of
the tortoise’s slow pace, and takes flight in the same direction for
another 1.5 minutes at 11 m/s.
What was the average speed of the finch for this 3.0-minute interval?
Answer:
[tex]Speed = 5.53 m/s[/tex]
Explanation:
Distance is calculated as:
[tex]Distance = Speed * Time[/tex]
First, we calculate the distance for the first 1.5 minutes
For the first 1.5 minutes, we have:
[tex]Speed = 0.060m/s[/tex]
[tex]Time = 1.5\ mins[/tex]
[tex]D_2= 0.060m/s * 1.5\ mins[/tex]
Convert 1.5 mins to seconds
[tex]D_2= 0.060m/s * 1.5 * 60s[/tex]
[tex]D_2= 5.4m[/tex]
Next, we calculate the distance for the next 1.5 minutes
[tex]Speed = 11m/s[/tex]
[tex]Time = 1.5\ mins[/tex]
[tex]D_2= 11m/s * 1.5\ mins[/tex]
Convert 1.5 mins to seconds
[tex]D_2 = 11m/s * 1.5 * 60s[/tex]
[tex]D_2= 990m[/tex]
Total distance is:
[tex]Distance = 990m + 5.4m[/tex]
[tex]Distance = 995.4m[/tex]
The average speed for the 3.0 minute interval is:
[tex]Speed = \frac{Distance}{Time}[/tex]
[tex]Speed = \frac{995.4\ m}{3.0\ mins}[/tex]
Convert 3.0 minutes to seconds
[tex]Speed = \frac{995.4\ m}{3.0 * 60 secs}[/tex]
[tex]Speed = \frac{995.4\ m}{180 secs}[/tex]
[tex]Speed = 5.53 m/s[/tex]