$$9.5 \times 10$$^{-15}$$\ \text{kg}$

$$1.274 \times 10$$^{7}$$\ \text{m}$

$$2.54 \times 10$$^{2}$$\ \text{for 254}$

Question 1

Which of the following is the correct scientific notation for the number 0.000024?

Accepted Answer

$$2.4 	imes 10$$^{-5}$$

Question 2

A bacterium has a mass of $$0.0000000000000095 kg. $$What is this value in scientific notation?

Accepted Answer

$$9.5 	imes 10$$^{-15}$$\ 	ext{kg}$

Question 3

Which of the following is the most compact scientific notation for the Earth's diameter, $$12,740,000 m$$?

Accepted Answer

$$1.274 	imes 10$$^{7}$$\ 	ext{m}$

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a proper use of scientific notation according to the conventions discussed?

Accepted Answer

$$2.54 	imes 10$$^{2}$$\ 	ext{for 254}$

Question 5

Convert $$53,081 to $$scientific notation in the most compact form.

Accepted Answer

$$5.3081 	imes 10$$^{4}$$

Question 6

If you move the decimal point in the mantissa one place to the left, what happens to the exponent in scientific notation?

Accepted Answer

Add 1 to the exponent

Question 7

Which of the following is the correct scientific notation for $$0.95 	imes 10$$^{16}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$9.5 	imes 10$$^{15}$$

Question 8

Why is it considered bad form to write $$2.54 	imes 10$$^{2}$$ for 254 in scientific notation?

Accepted Answer

Because 254 is not large enough to require scientific notation

Question 9

Which of the following is the correct way to write $$1.274E7 in $$scientific notation for a physics exam?

Accepted Answer

$$1.274 	imes 10$$^{7}$$

Question 10

A student writes $$3.18 	imes 10$$^{1}$$ for 31.8. According to scientific notation conventions, what is the preferred way to write this number?

Accepted Answer

$$31.8$$

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the purpose of scientific notation in physics?

Accepted Answer

To quickly express very large or very small numbers and understand their order of magnitude

Question 12

If you move the decimal point in the mantissa one place to the right, what should you do to the exponent?

Accepted Answer

Subtract 1 from the exponent

Question 13

Which of the following is the correct scientific notation for $$0.0001274 	imes 10$$^{11}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$1.274 	imes 10$$^{7}$$

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct reflection when converting $$0.95 	imes 10$$^{16}$$ to 9.5$$ 	imes $$10^{15}$$?

Accepted Answer

The mantissa increased, so the exponent must decrease to keep the value constant

Question 15

Which of the following is the correct scientific notation for $$0.01274 	imes 10$$^{9}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$1.274 	imes 10$$^{7}$$

Question 16

Which of the following is the correct scientific notation for $$127400 	imes 10$$^{2}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$1.274 	imes 10$$^{7}$$

Question 17

Why should you always write '× 10' instead of 'E' or 'e' in scientific notation for physics exams?

Accepted Answer

Because 'E' and 'e' are for computer input/output and can cause confusion in written work

Question 18

Which of the following numbers should NOT be written in scientific notation according to the conventions discussed?

Accepted Answer

$$254$$

Lecture 2B: Powers of 10 & Scientific Notation: Foundations for Physics with Calculus

Study Guide - Practice Questions