Question

The order of magnitude of the mass of Earth's atmosphere is `10^18` kilograms. The order of magnitude of the mass of Earth's oceans is `10^3` times greater. What is the order of magnitude of the mass of Earth's oceans?

Answer 1

`10^21`

Explanation:

In general
`color(white)("XXX")b^pxxb^q =b^(p+q)`

Therefore
`color(white)("XXX")10^18 xx 10^3 = 10^(18+3) = 10^21`