Question

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

Answer 1

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**.