Question

There is an average of 3.5×10−2 kilograms of dissolved salt in each liter of seawater. The Pacific Ocean contains approximately ​6.6×1020​ liters of seawater.

How many kilograms of dissolved salt are in the Pacific Ocean?

Enter your answer, in scientific notation, in the boxes.



1$$× 102$$ kg

Correct answers:
12.31219

Answer 1

3.5x10^(-2) kg/liter • 6.6x10^20 liters = 23.1 x 10^18 kg

But that's not back in scientific notation, because 23.1 is larger than 10.

23.1 x 10^18 kg = 2.31 x 10^19 kg

2.31 x 10^19 kg of salt

Answer 2

• 2.31 × 10¹⁹ kg

Explanation:

Each liter of seawater has 3.5 × 10⁻² kg of salt.

Number of liters of seawater is 6.6 × 10²⁰.

Total amount of salt is:

• 3.5 × 10⁻² * 6.6 × 10²⁰ =
• (3.5*6.6) × 10⁻²⁺²⁰ =
• 23.1 × 10¹⁸ =
• 2.31 × 10¹⁹ kg