The mass of a single atom of carbon can be found by dividing the atomic mass (12.01 g) by 6.022 mc024-1.jpg 1023. Which is the mass of a single carbon atom, correctly written in scientific notation with the correct number of significant figures?
1.99 mc024-2.jpg 10–23 g
1.994 mc024-3.jpg 10–23 g
2 mc024-4.jpg 10–23 g
2.0 mc024-5.jpg 10–23 g

Question

The mass of a single atom of carbon can be found by dividing the atomic mass (12.01 g) by 6.022  mc024-1.jpg 1023. Which is the mass of a single carbon atom, correctly written in scientific notation with the correct number of significant figures?
1.99  mc024-2.jpg 10–23 g
1.994  mc024-3.jpg 10–23 g
2  mc024-4.jpg 10–23 g
2.0  mc024-5.jpg 10–23 g

joannablackwelder · Answer

Since carbon's atomic mass has 4 significant figures, I think the answer should too. Make sense?