Final answer:
The statement that the combined mass of a nickel, a penny, and a dime is 9.8 grams is false. A single nickel weighs approximately 5.0 grams, and a penny weighs about 2.5 grams. Combined with the mass of a dime, the total would exceed 9.8 grams.
Step-by-step explanation:
When determining whether the statement that the combined mass of a nickel, a penny, and a dime is 9.8 grams is true or false, we need to consider the typical mass of each coin. A nickel typically weighs about 5.0 grams, and this is supported by reference information stating that a certain five cent coin does indeed contain 5.00 g of nickel. A penny, on the other hand, has a mass of approximately 2.5 grams; thus, the total mass of five pennies would be about 12.5 grams, certainly heavier than a single nickel. However, weighing 5 pennies would suggest a collective mass well above the threshold of the combined mass we are evaluating.
Referring to the provided information, we can also assume that a dime would have a mass considerable enough to add to the total when combined with the mass of a nickel and a penny. Given that it's also made clear that the combined charge of all the electrons in a dime is significant, this indicates the presence of a substantial amount of matter, thereby contributing to its mass. Considering these factors and applying basic mathematical skills, it's safe to conclude that the combined mass of a nickel, a penny, and a dime would indeed be more than 9.8 grams, which makes the initial statement false.