Once the applet has completely downloaded, a set of the arrows will appear that allow the user to increase or decrease the view magnitude in Manual mode. Click on the Auto button to return to the Automatic mode. Notice how each picture is an image of something that is 10 times bigger or smaller than the one before or after it. The number on the right is the size of what is seen in the picture. The number on the left is the same number written in powers of ten, or exponential notation .
Exponential notation is a way scientists write very large or very small numbers.
When a nucleus of a cell is seen at 10 -6 meters wide, this number represents one millionth of a meter, or 0.000001 meters. Scientists look at things in very particular ways using sophisticated equipment, everyday instruments, and unlikely tools. Some things that scientists want to see are so small that they need a magnifying glass, or a microscope. Other things are so far way that they need a powerful telescope in order to see them. It is important to understand and be able to compare the size of things we are studying.