Which quantity represents the largest mass? (LO 1.4) (a) 2.5 * 107 mg (b) 2.5 * 102 mg (c) 2.5 * 108 ng (d)2.5*10-3kg

Verified step by step guidance

1. Convert each quantity to the same unit for comparison. Let's use grams (g) as the common unit.
2. For option (a), convert milligrams to grams: \(2.5 \times 10^7 \text{ mg} = 2.5 \times 10^4 \text{ g}\).
3. For option (b), convert milligrams to grams: \(2.5 \times 10^2 \text{ mg} = 2.5 \times 10^{-1} \text{ g}\).
4. For option (c), convert nanograms to grams: \(2.5 \times 10^8 \text{ ng} = 2.5 \times 10^{-1} \text{ g}\).
5. For option (d), convert kilograms to grams: \(2.5 \times 10^{-3} \text{ kg} = 2.5 \text{ g}\).

Key Concepts

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of converting a quantity expressed in one unit to another unit. In this question, it is essential to convert all mass quantities to the same unit, such as grams or kilograms, to accurately compare their magnitudes. Understanding how to convert between milligrams (mg), nanograms (ng), and kilograms (kg) is crucial for determining which quantity represents the largest mass.

Scientific Notation

Scientific notation is a way of expressing numbers that are too large or too small in a compact form, using powers of ten. For example, 2.5 * 10^7 mg means 25,000,000 mg. Recognizing how to interpret and manipulate numbers in scientific notation is vital for comparing the sizes of different quantities effectively, especially when they are expressed in varying formats.

Mass Units

Mass units are standard measurements used to quantify the amount of matter in an object. Common units include milligrams (mg), grams (g), kilograms (kg), and nanograms (ng). Understanding the relationships between these units, such as 1 kg = 1,000,000 mg and 1 g = 1,000 mg, is necessary to determine which of the given options has the largest mass.