Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Correct
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Scientific notation is essential in electronics because measured quantities often span many orders of magnitude. Representing numbers as a mantissa multiplied by a power of ten reduces confusion, keeps units consistent, and minimizes transcription errors when dealing with very small or very large values such as microvolts, megaohms, and nanofarads.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
To write a number in scientific notation, move the decimal point so that exactly one nonzero digit remains to its left. Count the places moved; left-to-right movement for small values yields a negative exponent. The numeric value must remain identical after scaling by the proper power of ten, and the unit stays unchanged unless an explicit unit conversion is performed.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Compute 1.5 × 10^–4 = 1.5 / 10,000 = 0.00015, confirming exact equality. If desired, convert to microvolts: 0.00015 V = 150 µV (since 1 V = 10^6 µV). Both representations are consistent.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Mixing up sign of the exponent; changing the unit without adjusting the exponent; writing a mantissa outside 1 to 10 range and calling it “scientific notation.”
Final Answer:
Correct
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