Two cells are viewed and measured under a microscope. The approximate diameter of each cell is listed.

Cell P: 5.0 × 10^−4 m

Cell Q: 3.0 × 10^−5 m

What is the difference in the diameters of the two cells?

A. 0.05
B. 0.00047
C. 0.002
D. 0.047

1 answer

To find the difference in the diameters of the two cells, we need to subtract the diameter of Cell Q from the diameter of Cell P.

The diameters in meters are:

  • Cell P: \(5.0 \times 10^{-4} , m\)
  • Cell Q: \(3.0 \times 10^{-5} , m\)

First, we need to convert both values to the same power of ten:

Cell P: \[ 5.0 \times 10^{-4} , m = 0.0005 , m \]

Cell Q: \[ 3.0 \times 10^{-5} , m = 0.00003 , m \]

Now we can calculate the difference: \[ \text{Difference} = \text{Cell P} - \text{Cell Q} = 0.0005 , m - 0.00003 , m \]

Converting \(0.0005\) to the same power of ten as \(0.00003\): \[ 0.0005 , m = 0.0005 , m = 0.00050 , m \]

Now perform the subtraction: \[ 0.00050 , m - 0.00003 , m = 0.00047 , m \]

Thus, the difference in diameters between Cell P and Cell Q is: \[ 0.00047 , m \]

The correct answer is B. 0.00047.