Significant Figures

How many significant figures are in 0.0045060?

5

How many significant figures are in 1005?

4

How many significant figures are in 0.0500?

3

How many significant figures are in 200780?

5 (trailing zero without decimal not significant)

Leading zeros are…

Never significant

Captive/interior zeros are…

Always significant

Trailing zeros are significant when…

A decimal point is present

Exact numbers affect significant figures how?

They have infinite significant figures

Multiplication/division sig fig rule

Answer has same sig figs as factor with fewest sig figs

Addition/subtraction sig fig rule

Answer has same number of decimal places as least precise measurement

Scientific notation purpose

Express very large/small numbers while preserving significant figures

Convert °C to K

K = °C + 273.15

Convert K to °C

°C = K − 273.15

1 mL equals

1 cm³

1 L equals

1000 mL

1 kg equals

1000 g

1 mg equals

0.001 g

1 μm equals

10^-6 m

Density can be used as…

A conversion factor between mass and volume

First step in dimensional analysis

Write the given quantity with units

Goal of dimensional analysis

Cancel unwanted units and obtain desired units

Why keep units throughout calculations?

They verify setup and reduce mistakes

Rule when combining operations

Keep extra digits until the final answer, then round

0.000450060 has how many significant figures?

6

1.030 × 10^5 has how many significant figures?

4