An object moves with a constant speed of 5 feet per second. How many feet will it travel in 1 hour of continuous motion?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: 18000

Explanation:


Introduction:
This is a basic speed–time–distance question involving unit conversion from seconds to hours. It tests your ability to correctly convert time units and apply the fundamental relationship between distance, speed and time.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Speed of the object = 5 feet per second.
  • Time of travel = 1 hour.
  • The motion is assumed to be uniform (constant speed).
  • We must calculate the total distance travelled in feet.


Concept / Approach:
The core formula relating distance, speed and time is:
Distance = Speed * TimeHowever, the units must be consistent. Here, speed is in feet per second, while time is given in hours. We first convert hours to seconds, then multiply by the speed.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Convert time from hours to seconds.1 hour = 60 minutes.Each minute = 60 seconds.Therefore, total time in seconds = 60 * 60 = 3600 seconds.Step 2: Use the distance formula.Distance = Speed * TimeDistance = 5 feet per second * 3600 secondsStep 3: Multiply.Distance = 5 * 3600 = 18000 feet


Verification / Alternative check:
We can break the hour into smaller chunks to verify. In 1 second, the object travels 5 feet. In 10 seconds, it travels 50 feet. In 100 seconds, 500 feet. In 1000 seconds, 5000 feet. For 3600 seconds (just over 3.5 times 1000), 5 * 3600 again gives 18000 feet, confirming the calculation.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
3000 and 1800: These correspond to using 10 minutes or 6 minutes instead of 1 hour, indicating incorrect time conversion.
15000 and 12000: These are improperly scaled values, likely from miscalculating 5 * 3000 or using 50 minutes instead of 60 minutes.


Common Pitfalls:
The most common mistake is forgetting that 1 hour equals 3600 seconds, not 3000 or any rounded figure. Another error is mixing up units (e.g., treating 5 feet per second as 5 feet per minute). Always standardize units before applying formulas.


Final Answer:
In 1 hour, the object travels a total distance of 18000 feet.

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