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Is my solution correct? If formula E=(1.74 x 10^19 x 10^1.44M)

I was pretty certain I got the correct answer but I was asked by my tutor to double-check the question… Ci. I thought it would have been Cii that he'd asked me to double-check.

See attached:

IMG_1025.jpeg
(edited 10 months ago)
Usually you dont write decimals for standard form so instead of ....x10^26.2 just write in form ....x10^26
Reply 2
The number 5.21 is correct, though the setting up is confusing.

What are the Ms so 5M and 5.21M, why equals ... M is a variable with values 5 and 5.21

Why 2E=1900 then 2E=....

in part i) why 1989 = 5M?

The actual algebra appears ok.
Reply 3
Original post by mqb2766
The number 5.21 is correct, though the setting up is confusing.

What are the Ms so 5M and 5.21M, why equals ... M is a variable with values 5 and 5.21

Why 2E=1900 then 2E=....

in part i) why 1989 = 5M?

The actual algebra appears ok.

The 1989=5M and 1900=2E was just reference from the question asked…

So, in 1989 the magnitude was 5m and second part in 1900 energy release was 2E from 1989…

Do you think I should remove this to remove any confusion?
Reply 4
Original post by mosaurlodon
Usually you dont write decimals for standard form so instead of ....x10^26.2 just write in form ....x10^26

So, it’s okay to remove the .2. Is that the only thing that appears wrong? What if they’re expecting the actual number? 2.757714155x₁₀²⁶
Reply 5
Original post by KingRich
The 1989=5M and 1900=2E was just reference from the question asked…
So, in 1989 the magnitude was 5m and second part in 1900 energy release was 2E from 1989…
Do you think I should remove this to remove any confusion?

E and M are variables defined in the question, yet you seem to be using them as shorthand for energy and magnitude which is not standard, to say the least. It doesnt make sense what youve written. You could say something like

in 1989, M=5 and E=2.7*10^26 J

in 1900, E= 5.4*10^26, we need to determine M.

Note the scientific notation mentioned above and yesterday.
(edited 10 months ago)
Well your answer is not wrong technically, ive just never seen standard form written like that in any answer - I guess im just telling you to stop being weird
Reply 7
Original post by mqb2766
E and M are variables defined in the question, yet you seem to be using them as shorthand for energy and magnitude which is not standard, to say the least. It doesnt make sense what youve written. You could say something like

in 1989, M=5 and E=2.7*10^26 J

in 1900, E= 5.4*10^26, we need to determine M.

Note the scientific notation mentioned above and yesterday.

I see what you mean, using equal signs could be confusing for the person checking my work.

So, from what I recall yesterday. I had a little trouble trying to understand.

Let’s say, I have this. E=1.74 X 10²⁶ X 10^0.2

How do I find that solution 2.7 x 10²⁶ without using the calculator?
Reply 8
Original post by KingRich
I see what you mean, using equal signs could be confusing for the person checking my work.
So, from what I recall yesterday. I had a little trouble trying to understand.
Let’s say, I have this. E=1.74 X 10²⁶ X 10^0.2
How do I find that solution 2.7 x 10²⁶ without using the calculator?

You need a calculator to work out 10^0.2 or log_10(2) for instance.

It is confusing the way you use equals and reuse M, E. The equals sign was introduced by Robert Recorde in the 1500s
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equals_sign
and has two equal horizontal lines to denote the fact that each side of it (length of each line) has equal value. Youre not using it in that way.
(edited 10 months ago)
Reply 9
Ah, right, okay.

I suppose because none of my previous tutors has ever said anything. They'd just looked at my main calculations and ignored any side notes that I made, I never really thought about it.
Reply 10
Original post by KingRich
Ah, right, okay.
I suppose because none of my previous tutors has ever said anything. They'd just looked at my main calculations and ignored any side notes that I made, I never really thought about it.

Your calcs are ok here, though as per yesterday you could simplify the final expression a bit as
M = (log(2) + 7.2)/1.44 = 5 + log(2)/1.44
as you have log(2*10^26.2) which can be transformed.
(edited 10 months ago)
Reply 11
Original post by mqb2766
Youre calcs are ok here, though as per yesterday you could simplify the final expression abit as
M = (log(2) + 7.2)/1.44 = 5 + log(2)/1.44
as you have log(2*10^26.2) which can be transformed.

Do you mean part cii?
Reply 12
Original post by KingRich
Do you mean part cii?

Yes, you something like
log(4*10^26.2/2) = log(2*10^26.2) = log(2) + 26.2 ....
Reply 13
Original post by mqb2766
Yes, you something like
log(4*10^26.2/2) = log(2*10^26.2) = log(2) + 26.2 ....

I was just wondering, for part ci, do you think they may have been looking for me to apply log in order find 26? Or, would it have to hint in some degree by I don’t know, saying simply as far as possible.

I’m concerned as this might be what was intended?
Reply 14
Original post by KingRich
I was just wondering, for part ci, do you think they may have been looking for me to apply log in order find 26? Or, would it have to hint in some degree by I don’t know, saying simply as far as possible.
I’m concerned as this might be what was intended?

Best guess from me, they would be expecting the answer 2.76*10^26 for i). For ii) they would be expecting the (algebraic) answer of 5+log_10(2)/1.44, as its simple and can be easily interpreted, which then evaluates to 5.21.

However, ask your tutor if necessary, but you may be overthinking it.

Note the "simplest" way to do the second part is to note
5 -> E, so
E = 1.74*10^19*10^(1.44*5)
M -> 2E, so
2E = 1.74*10^19*10^(1.44*M)
Divide the second by the first you get
2 = 10^(1.44*(M-5))
take log base 10 and rearrange.
(edited 10 months ago)

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