Answer: 91.4 J
Explanation:
Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by a body due to virtue of its motion.
K.E. = 0.5 m v²
Mass of the continent is given, m = 1.819 × 10²¹ kg
Side of the block of continent, s = 4150 km = 4150000 m
Depth of the block of continent, d = 38 km = 38000 m
(Mass = density × volume
m = 2780 kg/m³× (4150 × 10³ m)²× 38 × 10³ m = 1.819 × 10²¹ kg)
The continent is moving at the rate of, v = 1 cm /year = 0.01 m / 31556926 s = 3.17 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/s
⇒ K.E. = 0.5 × 1.819 × 10²¹ kg × (3.17 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/s)²= 91.4 J
Hence, mass of the continent has 91.4 J of kinetic energy.
