**Revised Question: (High - Significant Figures - Multiplication in Scientific Notation)** A light year is defined as the distance light travels in one year. If the speed of light is 3.00 x 10⁸ m/s and one year is 3.1536 x 10⁷ s, what is the light year in meters expressed to the correct number of significant figures?

9 views 3 helpful Updated Jul 26, 2026
Appears in NEET UG
Solution ✔ Verified
  • A9.46 x 10¹⁵ m
  • B9.460 x 10¹⁵ m
  • C9.461 x 10¹⁵ m
  • D9.4608 x 10¹⁵ m
Explanation

Speed of light = 3.00 x 10⁸ m/s (3 significant figures). Time = 3.1536 x 10⁷ s (5 significant figures). Distance = Speed * Time = (3.00 x 10⁸) * (3.1536 x 10⁷) = 9.4608 x 10¹⁵ m. In multiplication, the result should have the same number of significant figures as the least precise measurement, which is 3 (from 3.00 x 10⁸). Rounding 9.4608 x 10¹⁵ to 3 significant figures gives 9.46 x 10¹⁵ m.

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