How many significant digits should I use when....?

Question

using a buret? To what decimal place?

Answer 1

It depends on how fine the markings are on the burette. Burettes are usually quite finely marked, and you should probably just round what you see to the closest value that is marked on the burette.

With less finely marked measuring devices, you can go to one significant digit more than what is marked. For example, if the smallest markings on a graduated cylinder are for mL, you can use 0.1 mL. This is because you are trusting your own estimation skills; if you don't have faith in your ability to sight the extra digit, just round to the closest value that is actually marked on the device. So use your own judgement as to whether or not you should use the additional digit with your burette.

Answer 2

Most of the above answers are wrong. Significant digits are just that, what is significantly measured. You can only use as many digits that are incremented on the buret. What is significant is not a subjective matter to be guestimated, but what can be accurately proven.

It also makes a difference as to what the measurement is being used to compare. If one uses a buret that is incremented to the tenth of a mL (0.0001 L)to compare the substances in a 1 liter jar that is incremented to the mL (0.001 L) the sig digs would be 3 decimal places as the 1 liter jar is the weakest measurement that can be proven.

Answer 3

Burets read accurately to 0.05 cm^3 so your readings have to be to 2 dp and rounded to the nearest 0.05 cm^3

Answer 4

if you're using a standard buret, there are 1/10mL marks which means you should measure out one past that to the one hundredths.

so

0.00 mL

Answer 5

What's the smallest increment on the instrument? Typically, it's possible to differentiate those into half or quarter increments. Use that as your limit of certainty.