The size of a hydrogen atom is about 1.2×10−10 m across. The size of an oxygen atom is 0.000000000152 m across. What is the difference between the sizes of these atoms in scientific notation?(1 point)

Responses

2.72×10−10 m
2.72 times 10 superscript negative 10 baseline m

3.2×10−11 m
3.2 times 10 superscript negative 11 baseline m

3.2 ×10−10 m
3.2 times 10 superscript negative 10 baseline m

3.2×10−9 m
3.2 times 10 superscript negative 9 baseline m

1 answer

To find the difference between the sizes of these atoms, you subtract the size of the hydrogen atom from the size of the oxygen atom:

Size of oxygen atom - Size of hydrogen atom = 0.000000000152 m - 1.2×10−10 m

When subtracting numbers in scientific notation, the exponents must be the same. Therefore, we can convert the size of the oxygen atom to scientific notation:

0.000000000152 m = 1.52×10^-10 m

Now, we can subtract the two values:

1.52×10^-10 m - 1.2×10^-10 m = 0.32×10^-10 m

In scientific notation, this is written as:

3.2×10^-11 m

Therefore, the correct response is 3.2×10−11 m.