Knowledge Base Article
Article ID: 27322 [Last Updated2/11/2003 5:19:11 PM]
Summary:
How do you do the math on Chemistry Module #7 practice problem 6?
Article:
You start with
3.0 x 10^8 / 3.51 x 10^-7
When you divide numbers, you can do it in any order. Thus:
3.0/3.51 x 10^8/10^-7
3.0/ 3.51 = 0.85
when dividing numbers with exponents, you subtract the exponents. Thus:
10^8/10^-7 = 10^(8 - -7) - 10^15
f = 0.85 x 10^15
Then you have
(6.63 x 10^-34) x (0.85 x 10^15)
Once again, you can rearrange:
(6.63 x 0.85)x(10^-34 x 10^15)
When you multiply numbers with exponents, you add them. Thus, this becomes:
5.6 x 10^(-34 + 15)
5.6 x 10^-19
If you have a scientific calculator, you can put scientific notation in the calculator, and it will take care of this for you. However, you must input the scientific notation PROPERLY. Read your calculator's manual!