Use prefix multipliers to express each measurement without exponents. b. 55.2×10⁻¹⁰ s

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the given measurement: 55.2 \times 10^{-10} \text{s}.
2. Recognize that the goal is to express this measurement using a prefix multiplier instead of an exponent.
3. Recall the common metric prefixes and their corresponding powers of ten. For example, nano (n) corresponds to 10^{-9}, pico (p) corresponds to 10^{-12}, and so on.
4. Determine which prefix multiplier is closest to the given exponent. In this case, 10^{-10} is between nano (10^{-9}) and pico (10^{-12}).
5. Convert the measurement to use the appropriate prefix by adjusting the numerical value accordingly, ensuring the overall value remains the same.

Key Concepts

Scientific Notation

Scientific notation is a way of expressing numbers that are too large or too small to be conveniently written in decimal form. It involves writing a number as a product of a coefficient and a power of ten, such as 5.52 x 10^-9. Understanding this notation is essential for converting measurements into a more manageable format.

Prefix Multipliers

Prefix multipliers are standard prefixes used in the metric system to denote specific powers of ten. For example, 'nano-' represents 10^-9, and 'pico-' represents 10^-12. These prefixes allow for easier communication of measurements by replacing the power of ten with a more intuitive term.

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of converting a measurement from one unit to another, often involving the use of conversion factors. In this context, converting from scientific notation to a standard metric prefix requires understanding how to manipulate the exponent and apply the appropriate prefix to express the measurement clearly.