Scientific Notation Converter
Convert between decimal notation and scientific notation with customizable significant figures
Convert Numbers
Enter any decimal number (positive or negative)
1-15 significant figures
Conversion Results
Example Conversions
Large whole number
Decimal: 123456789
Scientific: 1.23456789 × 10^8
Very small decimal
Decimal: 0.000000524
Scientific: 5.24 × 10^-7
Regular decimal number
Decimal: 42.195
Scientific: 4.2195 × 10^1
Small decimal with zeros
Decimal: 0.00350
Scientific: 3.50 × 10^-3
Scientific Notation Format
Input Formats
E-Notation
1.23e5 = 1.23 × 10^5
4.56e-3 = 4.56 × 10^-3
-7.89e2 = -7.89 × 10^2
Decimal Numbers
123000 → 1.23 × 10^5
0.00456 → 4.56 × 10^-3
42.7 → 4.27 × 10^1
Quick Tips
Move decimal right → negative exponent
Move decimal left → positive exponent
Mantissa always between 1 and 10
Use "e" for exponential input
Significant figures affect precision
Understanding Scientific Notation
What is Scientific Notation?
Scientific notation is a way of expressing numbers that are too large or too small to be conveniently written in decimal form. It's particularly useful in science and engineering where extreme values are common.
Key Components
- •Mantissa (m): A number between 1 and 10
- •Base: Always 10 in scientific notation
- •Exponent (n): Shows how many places to move the decimal
Conversion Rules
Decimal to Scientific
- 1. Move decimal after first non-zero digit
- 2. Count decimal places moved
- 3. Use count as exponent (+ if moved left, - if moved right)
Scientific to Decimal
- 1. Start with the mantissa
- 2. Move decimal point by exponent amount
- 3. Add zeros as needed
Common Applications
Physics
Speed of light: 3.0 × 10^8 m/s
Planck constant: 6.626 × 10^-34 J⋅s
Chemistry
Avogadro's number: 6.022 × 10^23
Atomic mass unit: 1.66 × 10^-27 kg
Astronomy
Distance to sun: 1.496 × 10^11 m
Mass of electron: 9.109 × 10^-31 kg