Question

a high - energy physicist measures the time between collisions of atoms in a fluid. the time is 24 fs. what is the tim seconds? write your answer in scientific notation.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the conversion factor

We know that \(1\space fs = 1\times10^{-15}\space s\).

Step2: Convert 24 fs to seconds

Multiply 24 by the conversion factor. So, \(24\space fs=24\times1\times 10^{-15}\space s\).
Using the rule of scientific notation \(a\times10^{n}\) where \(1\leqslant a<10\), we rewrite 24 as \(2.4\times10^{1}\). Then \(24\times10^{-15}=(2.4\times10^{1})\times10^{-15}\).
By the rule of exponents \(a^{m}\times a^{n}=a^{m + n}\), we have \((2.4\times10^{1})\times10^{-15}=2.4\times10^{1+( - 15)}\).
Calculate \(1+( - 15)=-14\).

Answer:

\(2.4\times10^{-14}\space s\)