Which of the following best expresses the approximate distance between the Earth and the Sun in scientific notation, given as $1.5\times {10}^{11}m$?

• A. $1.5\times {10}^{13}m$
• B. $1.5\times {10}^{8}m$
• C. $1.5\times {10}^{9}m$
• D. $1.5\times {10}^{11}m$

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the problem is asking for the approximate distance between the Earth and the Sun expressed in scientific notation, which is a way to write very large or very small numbers as a product of a number between 1 and 10 and a power of 10.
2. Recall the average distance from the Earth to the Sun, known as an astronomical unit (AU), which is approximately 150 million kilometers.
3. Convert this distance into meters by using the conversion factor: 1 kilometer = 1000 meters. So, multiply 150 million kilometers by 1000 to get the distance in meters.
4. Express the resulting number in scientific notation by writing it as a number between 1 and 10 multiplied by 10 raised to an appropriate power.
5. Compare the scientific notation you obtained with the given options to identify which one correctly represents the Earth-Sun distance.