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

Question

Responses

3.2×10−9 m
3.2 times 10 superscript negative 9 baseline m

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

2.72×10−10 m
2.72 times 10 superscript negative 10 baseline m

3.2 ×10−10 m

Answer 1

To find the difference in the sizes of a hydrogen atom and an oxygen atom, we need to convert the sizes of both atoms into the same scientific notation and then perform the subtraction.

1. Hydrogen atom size:
   \(1.2 \times 10^{-10} , \text{m}\)

2. Oxygen atom size:
   \(0.000000000152 , \text{m} = 1.52 \times 10^{-10} , \text{m}\)

Now, we need to subtract the size of the hydrogen atom from that of the oxygen atom:

\[ 1.52 \times 10^{-10} , \text{m} - 1.2 \times 10^{-10} , \text{m} \]

To perform the subtraction:

Convert \(1.2 \times 10^{-10}\) into the same form:

• \(1.2 \times 10^{-10} = 1.20 \times 10^{-10}\)

Now subtract: \[ 1.52 \times 10^{-10} - 1.20 \times 10^{-10} = (1.52 - 1.20) \times 10^{-10} = 0.32 \times 10^{-10} \]

Now convert \(0.32 \times 10^{-10}\) into scientific notation:
\[ 0.32 \times 10^{-10} = 3.2 \times 10^{-11} , \text{m} \]

So, the difference between the sizes of the hydrogen atom and the oxygen atom is: \[ \boxed{3.2 \times 10^{-11} , \text{m}} \]