Assume the diameter of a neutral helium atom is 1.40 x 10^(2)pm. Suppose that we could line up the helium atoms side by side in contact with one another. How many atoms would it take to make the distance 5.80 cm from end to end?

Question

How do I solve this, and what is the correct answer? Thank you.

Answer 1

The numbers are a little different but the method is the same. Just follow this example.
http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1347051896

Answer 2

I still don't understand the example. Sorry.

Answer 3

Did you try? All you needed to do is to substitute different numbers into the procedure.
140 pm = 1.40E-8 cm.
1.40E-8 cm/atom x # atoms = 5.40 cm
Solve for # atoms.

Answer 4

Yes, I did try. Based on what you showed me, I was on the right track. I was just thrown off by the "E-8". Does that represent scientific notation? That is what confuses me.

Answer 5

Yes. That is standard and it was dreamed up after hand held calculators came of age.
1 x 10³ = 1E3 = 1000
1 x 10^{-3 = 1E-3 = 0.001.}