Convert 0.055 milliseconds to seconds, and write the answer in scientific notation. (LO 1.3) (a) 5.5 * 10-3 s (b) 5.5 * 10-4 s (c) 5.5 * 10-5 s (d) 5.5 * 10-7 s

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the conversion factor between milliseconds and seconds. There are 1000 milliseconds in one second, so 1 millisecond is equal to 1/1000 seconds.
2. Convert 0.055 milliseconds to seconds by multiplying 0.055 by the conversion factor (1/1000).
3. Perform the multiplication: 0.055 * (1/1000) to find the value in seconds.
4. Express the result in scientific notation. Scientific notation involves writing a number as a product of a number between 1 and 10 and a power of 10.
5. Compare the result with the given options to determine which one matches the scientific notation of the converted value.

Key Concepts

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of converting a quantity expressed in one unit to another unit. In this case, we are converting milliseconds to seconds. Since 1 millisecond is equal to 0.001 seconds, understanding this relationship is crucial for accurately performing the conversion.

Scientific Notation

Scientific notation is a way of expressing numbers that are too large or too small in a compact form. It is written as a product of a number between 1 and 10 and a power of ten. For example, 0.000055 can be expressed as 5.5 x 10^-5, which simplifies calculations and comparisons of very large or small values.

Significant Figures

Significant figures are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision. When performing calculations, it is important to maintain the correct number of significant figures to ensure accuracy. In the context of the question, the original value of 0.055 milliseconds has two significant figures, which should be reflected in the final answer.