Linear Scales & Sig figs

Can measure by:

  • Rulers
  • Liquid thermometer
  • Meter sticks
  • Distance graduated cylinder

==Sig figs==

→ Any non number is significant

  1. Leading Zeros: NEVER CONSIDERED SIGNIFICANT

→ 0.0037

  1. Trailing Zero: SOMETIMES SIGNIFICANT

→ 370,000

  1. Middle Zeros: ALWAYS SIGNIFICANT

→ 3,007

Question to ask yourself when trying to figure out are significant:

Is there a decimal?

==Yes?==

  • Trailing 0’s are significant

==No?==

  • Trailing 0’s are significant
  • \

==Scientific Notation:==

→ 870,000,000 can also be 8.7 x 10^8

When translating back, move decimal point right how many times it’s been put to the power (^?)

  • Positive move decimal to the right, Negative move it to the left

Examples:

  1. 2 x 10^3 = 2,000
  2. 2 x 10^2 = 200
  3. 2 x 10^1 = 20
  4. 2 x 10^0 = 2
  5. 2 x 10^-1 = .2

Etc etc.