Mastering Subtraction in Scientific Notation: Grade 6 Quiz

A scientist measures the mass of a small particle as 3.5 x 10^-9 grams. Another particle has a mass of 1.2 x 10^-9 grams. What is the difference in mass between the two particles in scientific notation?

• 1.5 x 10^-9 grams

• 2.3 x 10^-9 grams

• 4.7 x 10^-9 grams

• 3.0 x 10^-9 grams

A comet is traveling at a speed of 2.5 x 10^4 kilometers per hour. If it speeds up to 3.0 x 10^4 kilometers per hour, how much faster is it traveling now in scientific notation?

• 2.5 x 10^3 kilometers per hour

• 5.0 x 10^3 kilometers per hour

• 1.0 x 10^4 kilometers per hour

• 4.0 x 10^3 kilometers per hour

The distance from Earth to a star is approximately 4.2 x 10^16 meters. If a spaceship travels 1.5 x 10^16 meters towards the star, how far is it from the star now in scientific notation?

• 5.0 x 10^16 meters

• 3.5 x 10^16 meters

• 1.2 x 10^16 meters

• 2.7 x 10^16 meters

A bacteria culture grows from 2.0 x 10^3 cells to 5.0 x 10^4 cells. How many more cells are there after the growth in scientific notation?

• 4.0 x 10^4

• 3.0 x 10^4

• 5.0 x 10^3

• 4.8 x 10^4

A researcher measures the volume of a drop of water as 2.5 x 10^-5 liters. If another drop is measured at 1.0 x 10^-5 liters, what is the difference in volume between the two drops in scientific notation?

• 1.5 x 10^-5 liters

• 3.5 x 10^-5 liters

• 1.0 x 10^-6 liters

• 2.0 x 10^-5 liters

A satellite orbits Earth at a height of 3.0 x 10^7 meters. If it descends to a height of 2.5 x 10^7 meters, how much lower is it in scientific notation?

• 2.5 x 10^7 m

• 5.0 x 10^6 m

• 4.0 x 10^6 m

• 1.0 x 10^6 m

The energy released by a small explosion is 1.2 x 10^3 joules. A larger explosion releases 3.0 x 10^3 joules. How much more energy does the larger explosion release in scientific notation?

• 2.5 x 10^3 joules

• 1.0 x 10^3 joules

• 3.5 x 10^3 joules

• 1.8 x 10^3 joules

A computer processes data at a rate of 4.0 x 10^6 bytes per second. If it increases to 1.2 x 10^7 bytes per second, how much more data can it process in scientific notation?

• 8.0 x 10^6

• 4.0 x 10^6

• 6.0 x 10^6

• 1.0 x 10^7

A small planet has a diameter of 1.5 x 10^7 meters. Another planet has a diameter of 2.0 x 10^7 meters. What is the difference in diameter between the two planets in scientific notation?

• 3.5 x 10^6

• 1.0 x 10^7

• 2.5 x 10^6

• 5.0 x 10^6

A chemical reaction produces 3.0 x 10^2 grams of a substance. If another reaction produces 1.5 x 10^2 grams, how much more substance is produced in scientific notation?

• 2.0 x 10^2 grams

• 3.5 x 10^2 grams

• 1.0 x 10^2 grams

• 1.5 x 10^2 grams