1. Move the decimal point:

* Start with 0.00971

* Move the decimal point three places to the right: 9.71

2. Adjust the exponent:

* Since we moved the decimal point three places to the right, the exponent of 10 will be -3.

3. Write the number in scientific notation:

* 9.71 x 10⁻³

Therefore, 0.00971 in scientific notation is 9.71 x 10⁻³