order of magnitude

• Why do scientists use the concept of order of magnitude?

  To compare approximate sizes of objects
• How many millimeters are in a meter?

  1,000 millimeters
• What does it mean when scientists say two objects are around the same order of magnitude?

  They are approximately the same size
• How much larger is a pineapple compared to a small lemon?

  A pineapple is around 10 times larger
• What does one order of magnitude represent?

  10 times
• How many orders of magnitude is a dog longer than a woodlouse?

  Two orders of magnitude
• How can you determine the order of magnitude by counting zeros?

  Count the number of zeros in the ratio
• If a fox is 40 cm long and a tick is 0.4 cm long, how do you find how many orders of magnitude longer the fox is than the tick?

  Divide 40 by 0.4
• What is the result of dividing 40 by 0.4?

  100
• How many zeros are in the number 100?

  Two zeros
• What is the order of magnitude when the fox is 100 times longer than the tick?

  Two orders of magnitude
• What are the key concepts of order of magnitude calculations?

  • Comparing sizes of objects
  • Each order is 10 times greater
  • Count zeros to determine orders
• How do you perform order of magnitude calculations?

  1. Identify the sizes of objects
  2. Divide the larger size by the smaller size
  3. Count the zeros in the result
  4. Determine the order of magnitude