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)

Question

Responses

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

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

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

3.2×10−11 m

Answer 1

To find the difference between the sizes of the hydrogen atom and the oxygen atom, we need to first convert both sizes to the same scientific notation.

• The size of the hydrogen atom is given as \(1.2 \times 10^{-10} , \text{m}\).
• The size of the oxygen atom is given as \(0.000000000152 , \text{m}\), which can be expressed in scientific notation as \(1.52 \times 10^{-10} , \text{m}\).

Now, subtract the size of the oxygen atom from the size of the hydrogen atom:

\[ \text{Difference} = \text{Size of hydrogen atom} - \text{Size of oxygen atom} \]

\[ \text{Difference} = (1.2 \times 10^{-10} , \text{m}) - (1.52 \times 10^{-10} , \text{m}) \]

To perform the subtraction, we need to align the numbers:

\[ \text{Difference} = (1.2 - 1.52) \times 10^{-10} , \text{m} \]

\[ \text{Difference} = (-0.32) \times 10^{-10} , \text{m} \]

Now, express \(-0.32\) in scientific notation:

\[ -0.32 \times 10^{-10} = -3.2 \times 10^{-11} , \text{m} \]

The absolute difference in size is \(3.2 \times 10^{-11} , \text{m}\).

So the answer is:

\[ 3.2 \times 10^{-11} , \text{m} \]