Question

rewrite the following statement using a number in scientific notation. the diameter of a certain atom is about 0.15 nanometers. (recall that nano- means \billionth.\) the diameter of a certain atom is about meters. (type your answer in scientific notation, using the appropriate symbol from the math palette for any multiplication.)

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the conversion factor

Since 1 nanometer ($nm$) = $10^{-9}$ meters ($m$), to convert 0.15 nanometers to meters, we multiply 0.15 by $10^{-9}$.
$0.15\times10^{-9}$

Step2: Rewrite 0.15 in scientific - notation

$0.15 = 1.5\times10^{-1}$. Then $0.15\times10^{-9}=(1.5\times10^{-1})\times10^{-9}$.

Step3: Use the exponent rule $a^m\times a^n=a^{m + n}$

$(1.5\times10^{-1})\times10^{-9}=1.5\times(10^{-1}\times10^{-9})=1.5\times10^{-1+( - 9)}=1.5\times10^{-10}$

Answer:

$1.5\times10^{-10}$