Question

1
the speed of light in a vacuum is about 300,000,000 meters per second, which can be written as ( 3 \times 10^n ) meters per second. what is ( n )?
a. 8
b. 9
c. -9
d. -8

Explanation:

Step1: Recall scientific notation

Scientific notation is of the form \( a\times10^{n} \), where \( 1\leq a<10 \) and \( n \) is an integer. The number given is 300,000,000.

Step2: Express 300,000,000 in scientific notation

We can write 300,000,000 as \( 3\times100,000,000 \). And \( 100,000,000 = 10^{8} \) (since \( 10^{8}=10\times10\times10\times10\times10\times10\times10\times10 = 100000000 \)). So \( 300000000=3\times10^{8} \).

Answer:

A