The masses of five different molecules in a gas sample are estimated as follows: , , ,

MATHEMATICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Mathematics · Power Play · Power Play

Problem

The masses of five different molecules in a gas sample are estimated as follows: M1=9.72×10−26 kgM_{1}=9.72\times10^{-26}\,\text{kg}, M2=1.038×10−25 kgM_{2}=1.038\times10^{-25}\,\text{kg}, M3=0.654×10−26 kgM_{3}=0.654\times10^{-26}\,\text{kg}, M4=7.5×10−27 kgM_{4}=7.5\times10^{-27}\,\text{kg}, and M5=3.12×10−26 kgM_{5}=3.12\times10^{-26}\,\text{kg}. (i) Find the net mass MtotalM_{\text{total}} of all five molecules, writing the answer in scientific notation and correct to four significant figures. (ii) Express MtotalM_{\text{total}} using an appropriate SI prefix (for example, yocto-, zepto-, atto-, etc.) while maintaining the significant–figure requirement. (iii) If the smallest mass M4M_{4} were neglected, by what percentage would the calculated net mass change? Comment on whether such an omission is justified to within a 0.50%0.50\% tolerance.

Related theory

Browse the problem library