the mass of an oxygen molecule is $5.31 \\times 10^{-23}$ grams. the mass of a proton is $1.67 \\times…

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the formula

To find how many times greater the mass of an oxygen molecule is than the mass of a proton, we use the formula: (\text{Ratio} = \frac{\text{Mass of oxygen molecule}}{\text{Mass of proton}})

Step2: Substitute the values

Given, mass of oxygen molecule (= 5.31\times 10^{-23}) grams and mass of proton (= 1.67\times 10^{-24}) grams (assuming the exponent for proton's mass was a typo, likely (-24) as (10^{-23}) would make proton heavier than oxygen molecule which is incorrect. If the original problem had a different exponent, adjust accordingly. Here we proceed with (1.67\times 10^{-24}) for a reasonable result).

So, (\text{Ratio}=\frac{5.31\times 10^{-23}}{1.67\times 10^{-24}})

Step3: Simplify the exponents

Using the rule of exponents (\frac{a^m}{a^n}=a^{m - n}), we have:

(\frac{5.31}{1.67}\times10^{-23+24})

Step4: Calculate the numerical part

(\frac{5.31}{1.67}\approx3.18)

Step5: Calculate the exponent part

(10^{-23 + 24}=10^{1}=10)

Step6: Multiply the results

(3.18\times10 = 31.8) (rounded to the nearest tenth)

Answer:

31.8