Swept Away By Syrup!

More than a century ago, a massive wave of molasses destroyed part of Boston, Massachusetts

December 2024/January 2025

By Jennifer Barone | Illustrated by David Shephard

In 1915, U.S. weapons makers were preparing for the possibility of the nation entering World War I. They ramped up production, which meant they needed molasses. Why? This syrup, produced by refining sugar, was used to make bombs. The United States Industrial Alcohol company, which processed molasses for weapons, wanted a way to store the sticky goo near Boston Harbor. But the company’s sloppy solution would soon unleash an epic disaster on the city.

The rate equation, DISTANCE = RATE × TIME or d = rt, shows the relationship between distance, rate, and time. When you know two of the three values, you can find the unknown value. Use the rate equation to answer questions about the Boston molasses flood. Round answers to the nearest whole number when necessary. Record your work and answers on our answer sheet.

The first wave of molasses moved more than 50 feet per second. Which value in the rate equation does 50 represent?

A. distance
B. rate
C. time
D. both A and C

The initial burst of molasses lasted at least 30 seconds. At 50 feet per second, how far would the molasses travel in that time?

A. 2 feet
B. 80 feet
C. 1,500 feet
D. 2,500 feet

A 6-ton piece of the molasses tank was found 200 feet away from its initial location. At 50 feet per second, how long would it have taken to get there?

A. 4 seconds
B. 30 seconds
C. 33 seconds
D. 250 seconds

As the molasses spread out and cooled, its rate of flow slowed. If it took 30 seconds to move 150 yards, how fast would that be in feet per second? (Hint:
1 yard = 3 feet)

A. 5 feet per second
B. 15 feet per second
C. 50 feet per second
D. 450 feet per second

A. Sprinter Noah Lyles ran 100 meters in 9.8 seconds to win a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. How fast did Lyles run in feet per second? (Hint: 1 meter = 3.3 feet)