Question

The distance between the two hydrogen atoms in a molecule of water is 0.000000000172 m. Express this distance in scientific notation.

1) 1.72 × 10⁻⁹ m
2) 1.72 × 10⁻¹⁰ m
3) 0.172 × 10⁻¹⁰ m
4) 17.2 × 10⁹ m
5) 1.72 × 10¹⁰ m

Answer 1

The distance between the two hydrogen atoms in a molecule of water, expressed in scientific notation, is 1.72 × 10⁻⁹ m.

Step-by-step explanation:

The distance between the two hydrogen atoms in a molecule of water is given as 0.000000000172 m. To express this distance in scientific notation, we need to move the decimal point to the right until there is only one digit to the left of the decimal point, while keeping track of the number of places we move the decimal point. In this case, we need to move the decimal point 9 places to the right. This results in the number 1.72 × 10-9 m.