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

Question

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
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Answer 1

To find the difference between the sizes of a hydrogen atom and an oxygen atom in scientific notation, we start with their sizes:

• Size of a hydrogen atom: \( 1.2 \times 10^{-10} \) m
• Size of an oxygen atom: \( 0.000000000152 \) m, which can be written in scientific notation as \( 1.52 \times 10^{-10} \) m.

Now, we calculate the difference:

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

To perform this subtraction, we need to align the exponents:

\[ 1.2 \times 10^{-10} - 1.52 \times 10^{-10} = (1.2 - 1.52) \times 10^{-10} = -0.32 \times 10^{-10} \]

Next, we convert \(-0.32 \times 10^{-10}\) into proper scientific notation. The number \(-0.32\) can be expressed as \(-3.2 \times 10^{-1}\). Therefore:

\[ -0.32 \times 10^{-10} = -3.2 \times 10^{-1} \times 10^{-10} = -3.2 \times 10^{-11} \]

Thus, the difference between the sizes of hydrogen and oxygen atoms, expressed in scientific notation, is:

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

Since the question asks for the absolute value of the difference, we report it as:

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

Therefore, the correct response is:

3.2×10−11 m