ExpertMedium1 markMultiple Choice
AQA GCSE · Question 03.3 · Space physics
The distance from Cygni A to the Earth is 1.1 × 10⁸ gigametres. Which distance is the same as 1.1 × 10⁸ gigametres?
The distance from Cygni A to the Earth is 1.1 × 10⁸ gigametres. Which distance is the same as 1.1 × 10⁸ gigametres?
Answer options:
A.
1.1 x 10¹¹ m
B.
1.1 x 10¹⁴ m
C.
1.1 x 10¹⁷ m
D.
1.1 x 10²⁰ m
How to approach this question
1. Recall the value of the prefix "giga" (G).
2. A gigametre is that many metres.
3. Multiply the given number by the value of "giga".
4. Remember the rule for multiplying powers of 10: add the indices.
Full Answer
C.1.1 x 10¹⁷ m✓ Correct
1.1 x 10¹⁷ m
This question requires converting from gigametres to metres using knowledge of standard prefixes.
The prefix "giga" (symbol G) represents a factor of 10⁹ (one billion).
Therefore, 1 gigametre = 10⁹ metres.
To convert the given distance:
Distance = 1.1 × 10⁸ gigametres
Distance = 1.1 × 10⁸ × (10⁹ metres)
When multiplying numbers in standard form, we multiply the numbers and add the powers of 10:
Distance = 1.1 × 10⁽⁸⁺⁹⁾ metres
Distance = 1.1 × 10¹⁷ metres
Common mistakes
✗ Confusing "giga" with other prefixes like "mega" (10⁶) or "kilo" (10³).\n✗ Incorrectly adding the indices (e.g., multiplying them instead).
Practice the full AQA GCSE Physics Higher Tier Paper 2
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