A finch rides on the back of a Galapagos tortoise, which walks at the stately pace of 0.060 m/s. After 1.1 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. Part A What was the average speed of the finch for this 2.6-minute interval

Average Speed = 6.37 m/s

Explanation:

The average speed is simply given by the following formula:

Average Speed = Total Distance Traveled/Total Time Spent

here,

Total Time Spent = 1.1 min + 1.5 min = (2.6 min) (60 s/min) = 156 s

Now, for total distance, we have to calculate the distance traveled on tortoise and distance traveled while flying, separately. Therefore,

Distance Traveled on Tortoise = (Time spent on Tortoise) (Speed of Tortoise)

Distance Traveled on Tortoise = (1.1 min) (60 s/min) (0.06 m/s) = 3.96 m

Similarly,

Flying Distance = (Flying Time) (Flying Speed) = (1.5 min) (60 s/min) (11 m/s)

Flying Distance = 990 m

Since, total distance is the sum of both distances, therefore,

Total Distance = 3.96 m + 990 m = 993.96 m

Now, using the values in equation of average speed, we get:

Average Speed = 993.96 m/156 s

Average Speed = 6.37 m/s