Question #1: Describe how significant digits in a measurement can indicate the precision of the instrument used to take the measurement.
Answer: The measurements recorded should include all the numbers that are known with certainty plus one digit (the rightmost digit) that is estimated. Thus, significant digits clearly show the precision of the instrument used.
Question #2: Determine how many significant digits are in the following numbers: a. 20.009 b. 0.00876 c. 45.000
d. 34500 e. 234.614
Answer:
a. Five
b. Three
c. Five
d. Three
e. Six
Are they right? Thanks for your help!
2007-07-19 04:29:40 · 4 answers · asked by Steven M 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
absolutely correct
2007-07-19 04:33:16 · answer #1 · answered by Kris Z 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You cannot always tell how many digits are significant just by looking at the number. For example, in (d), this might mean exactly 34500 (i.e. 3.4500*10^4) - in which case there are 5 significant digits. On the other hand, it might mean it is only given to the nearest 100 (i.e. 3.45*10^4) - in which case there are only three significant digits.
Perhaps I am nit-picking here. The answers you have given are probably the ones your teacher is looking for but my point illustrates how careful you have to be when setting questions in this area.
2007-07-19 12:42:41 · answer #2 · answered by Chemmunicator 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They're all correct.
2007-07-19 11:33:49 · answer #3 · answered by hcbiochem 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
CORRECT.
2007-07-19 12:15:10 · answer #4 · answered by s0u1 reaver 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋