December 27, 2024, 05:39:29 PM
Forum Rules: Read This Before Posting


« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Topic: Order of magnitude  (Read 7893 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Username

  • Guest
Order of magnitude
« on: April 19, 2004, 10:17:19 AM »
Can you guys explain the expression "order of magnitude" to me?

A book I'm reading says: "The angstrom is a convenient unit because the lighter atoms are on the order of magnitude of 1 A."

I know it has something to do with rough estimations since the book also says that for example a number between 3 and 30 is on the order of magnitude of 10.
Logged

Offline Mitch

  • General Chemist
  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 5298
  • Mole Snacks: +376/-3
  • Gender: Male
  • "I bring you peace." -Mr. Burns
    • Chemistry Blog
Re:Order of magnitude
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2004, 01:04:37 PM »
10 is an order of magnitude above 1. 100 is an order of magnitude above 10.
Logged
Most Common Suggestions I Make on the Forums.
1. Start by writing a balanced chemical equation.
2. Don't confuse thermodynamic stability with chemical reactivity.
3. Forum Supports LaTex

Offline gregpawin

  • Cradle Bandit
  • Chemist
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 245
  • Mole Snacks: +22/-5
  • Gender: Male
  • Ebichu chu chu chuses you!
Re:Order of magnitude
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2004, 04:00:27 PM »
In other words, if express numbers in scientific notation: 2.22 X 103, the exponential number is the magnitude.  If you're comparing something and its not quite one base number higher, then you call it a factor of X higher... 6 is higher than 3 by a factor of 2, but 60 is higher than 6 by one order of magnitude.
« Last Edit: April 19, 2004, 04:01:36 PM by gregpawin »
Logged
I've got nothin'

Username

  • Guest
Re:Order of magnitude
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2004, 07:36:37 AM »
Hehe OK I think I finally got it.
It  usually takes a while for me to understand the simple things...let's me look kinda dumb from time to time  ::)

Edit:
Thanks for the explanations.
« Last Edit: April 20, 2004, 07:37:23 AM by Username »
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »
Sponsored Links