Final answer:
To write 0.163 pounds in scientific notation, move the decimal two places to the right to get 1.63, then use an exponent to indicate the shift, resulting in 1.63 × 10^-1 pounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
To express the average weight of one chicken feather in scientific notation, we need to follow the conventions for expressing numbers in this format. The average feather weight is 0.163 pounds, which we can write in scientific notation by moving the decimal point so that there is only one non-zero digit to the left of the decimal point. The correct scientific notation for 0.163 pounds is 1.63 × 10-1 pounds.
The process to convert to scientific notation is straightforward. First, identify how many places the decimal must move to get to the position directly after the first non-zero digit. In this case, we move the decimal two places to the right, corresponding to an exponent of -2. However, since the unit of measurement is in pounds, which is equivalent to 16 ounces, we must adjust for this by using an exponent that reflects the conversion from ounces to pounds. As such, we actually use an exponent of -1.