What is scientific notation primarily used for?

Scientific notation is primarily used to simplify large or small numbers, making them easier to read, calculate, and work with. When dealing with extremely large values, such as the distance between stars, or very small values, like the size of a virus, presenting these numbers in standard decimal form can be unwieldy and impractical. Scientific notation expresses these numbers in a format that includes a coefficient multiplied by a power of ten, thereby streamlining calculations and comparisons.

The other choices do relate to specific scientific concepts but do not capture the primary purpose of scientific notation. Expressing chemical reactions typically involves balancing equations and identifying reactants and products rather than numerically simplifying values. Representing the concentration of solutions is a specific application of chemistry that may utilize scientific notation but is not its primary function. Denoting the temperature of a reaction is more straightforward and doesn't require the advantages of scientific notation. Thus, the essence of scientific notation's usefulness lies in its ability to manage and simplify numerical information effectively.