(Line of atoms thought experiment) The atomic radius of a certain metal is ( )
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Units and Measurements · Units and Measurements
Problem
(Line of atoms thought experiment)
The atomic radius of a certain metal is 1.52A˚ (1A˚=10−10m). Imagine placing 6.0×108 such atoms side by side to form a straight line.
(i) Convert the atomic radius to metres and write it in scientific notation. Hence find the diameter of one atom, also in metres and scientific notation.
(ii) Using the atomic diameter from part (i), determine the total length of the line of 6.0×108 atoms in millimetres. Express your answer in scientific notation and retain the correct significant figures.
(iii) Convert the length obtained in part (ii) to kilometres, again in scientific notation. State clearly how and why the numerical coefficient changes when the unit is shifted from millimetres to kilometres.