The size of a hydrogen atom is about 1.2 x 10^(-10)m across. The size of an oxygen atom is 0.000000000152 m across. What is the difference between the sizes of these atoms in scientific notation?
A. 3.2 x 10^(-9) m
B. 2.72 x 10^(-10) m
C. 3.2 x 10^(-11) m
D. 3.2 x 10^(-10) m
To find the difference between the sizes of these atoms, we need to subtract the size of the hydrogen atom from the size of the oxygen atom.
0.000000000152 m - 1.2 x 10^(-10) m
To subtract the numbers, we need to make sure they have the same exponent in scientific notation. We can rewrite 0.000000000152 m as 1.52 x 10^(-10) m.
1.52 x 10^(-10) m - 1.2 x 10^(-10) m = 0.32 x 10^(-10) m
We can simplify 0.32 x 10^(-10) m to 3.2 x 10^(-11) m.
Therefore, the difference between the sizes of the hydrogen atom and the oxygen atom is 3.2 x 10^(-11) m.
The correct answer is C. 3.2 x 10^(-11) m.