Question:easy
Two tectonic plates, P and Q, move in opposite directions along a transform fault boundary. If the plate velocity of P is 8 cm/year and of Q is 6 cm/year with respect to a fixed reference frame, the relative velocity between P and Q is _______ cm/year (answer in integer).
Two tectonic plates, P and Q, move in opposite directions along a transform fault boundary. If the plate velocity of P is 8 cm/year and of Q is 6 cm/year with respect to a fixed reference frame, the relative velocity between P and Q is _______ cm/year (answer in integer).
Show Hint
When two bodies move in opposite directions along the same line, their relative velocity is the sum of their individual speeds, not the difference.
Updated On: Jul 20, 2026
Show Solution
Correct Answer: 14
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Note what is given.
Plate P moves at 8 cm/year, plate Q moves at 6 cm/year, and the two motions point in opposite directions across the transform fault.
Step 2: Think of it as two people walking apart.
If one person walks east at 8 cm/year and another walks west at 6 cm/year, the gap between them grows at the sum of their speeds, not the difference, because they are heading away from each other along the same line.
Step 3: Add the speeds.
\[ v_{rel} = 8 + 6 \]
Step 4: Work out the total.
\[ v_{rel} = 14 \text{ cm/year} \]
Step 5: Conclude.
Since the plates separate along opposite headings, their relative velocity is the sum of the two given speeds.
\[ \boxed{14 \text{ cm/year}} \]
Plate P moves at 8 cm/year, plate Q moves at 6 cm/year, and the two motions point in opposite directions across the transform fault.
Step 2: Think of it as two people walking apart.
If one person walks east at 8 cm/year and another walks west at 6 cm/year, the gap between them grows at the sum of their speeds, not the difference, because they are heading away from each other along the same line.
Step 3: Add the speeds.
\[ v_{rel} = 8 + 6 \]
Step 4: Work out the total.
\[ v_{rel} = 14 \text{ cm/year} \]
Step 5: Conclude.
Since the plates separate along opposite headings, their relative velocity is the sum of the two given speeds.
\[ \boxed{14 \text{ cm/year}} \]
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