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?

Answer 1

To find the difference between the sizes of the two atoms, we subtract the two values:

1.2 × 10^−10 m - 0.000000000152 m = 1.2 × 10^−10 - 1.52 × 10^−10 m

To subtract these values, we need to have the same exponent. Since 1.52 × 10^−10 m can be written as 0.152 × 10^−9 m, the equation becomes:

1.2 × 10^−10 m - 0.152 × 10^−9 m

Now, we can subtract the values:

= -0.032 × 10^−9 m

In scientific notation, this is written as:

-3.2 × 10^−11 m

Therefore, the difference between the sizes of the hydrogen and oxygen atoms in scientific notation is -3.2 × 10^−11 m.