The size of a hydrogen atom is about 1.2×10^

Question

−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

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

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

3.2×10−9
 m
3.2 times 10 superscript negative 9 baseline  m
Skip to navigation

Answer 1

To determine the difference in size between a hydrogen atom and an oxygen atom, we will first express both sizes in scientific notation and then find the difference.

1. The size of a hydrogen atom is given as \(1.2 \times 10^{-10}\) m.
2. The size of an oxygen atom is \(0.000000000152\) m, which in scientific notation can be written as \(1.52 \times 10^{-10}\) m.

Now, we can find the difference between the sizes:

\[ \text{Difference} = \text{Size of oxygen atom} - \text{Size of hydrogen atom} \] \[ \text{Difference} = (1.52 \times 10^{-10}) - (1.2 \times 10^{-10}) \] \[ \text{Difference} = (1.52 - 1.2) \times 10^{-10} \] \[ \text{Difference} = 0.32 \times 10^{-10} \]

Next, we convert \(0.32 \times 10^{-10}\) into proper scientific notation:

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

So, the difference between the sizes of hydrogen and oxygen atoms is:

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