Question

An atom of gold has a mass of approximately 3.25 x 10-22 grams. What is the mass of 1000 atoms of gold? Express your answer in scientific notation.

Answer 1

The mass of 1000 atoms of gold is, in grams, of
`3.25 * 10^(-19)`

Explanation:

This question is solved by proportions, using a rule of three.

We have that:

One atom of gold has a mass, in grams, of
`3.25 * 10^(-22)`. What is the mass of 1000 atoms of gold?

1000 atoms is
`10^3`. So

1 atom -
`3.25 * 10^(-22)` grams

`10^3` atoms - x

Applying cross multiplication:

`x = 3.25 * 10^(-22) * 10^3 = 3.25 * 10^(-22+3) = 3.25 * 10^(-19)`

The mass of 1000 atoms of gold is, in grams, of
`3.25 * 10^(-19)`