Express the number 0.053 in scientific notation. \( 0.053=\square \) (Use the multiplication symbol in the math palette as needed.)

To express the number 0.053 in scientific notation, we first need to move the decimal point two places to the right to get 5.3. This gives us \( 5.3 \times 10^{-2} \), since we moved the decimal point two places to the right, which corresponds to a negative exponent. So, \( 0.053 = 5.3 \times 10^{-2} \). Now you have your number in scientific notation! Remember, the key is to get the number between 1 and 10, then multiply it by the appropriate power of ten.