Open Question
How many sig figs does each number contain?
a) 100. min
b) 17.3 x 103 mL
c) 10 apples
1. Intro to General Chemistry
Significant Figures
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
How many significant figures should be reported for the following calculation:
5.2110 × 12.20 ÷ (11.44 − 2.113)
A
1
B
2
C
3
D
4
E
5
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the number of significant figures in each of the numbers involved in the calculation: 5.2110 has 5 significant figures, 12.20 has 4 significant figures, and 11.44 and 2.113 have 4 and 4 significant figures respectively.
Perform the subtraction in the denominator: (11.44 - 2.113). The result of a subtraction should have the same number of decimal places as the number with the fewest decimal places in the operation.
Determine the number of decimal places in the subtraction result: Since 11.44 has 2 decimal places and 2.113 has 3 decimal places, the result should be rounded to 2 decimal places.
Perform the multiplication and division: 5.2110 × 12.20 ÷ (result from subtraction). The result of a multiplication or division should have the same number of significant figures as the number with the fewest significant figures in the operation.
Determine the number of significant figures in the final result: The number with the fewest significant figures in the multiplication and division is 12.20, which has 4 significant figures. Therefore, the final result should be reported with 4 significant figures.
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Related Practice
Multiple Choice
How many significant figures are contained in the following measurement?
3,482,005 mg
Textbook Question
A scientist uses an uncalibrated pH meter and measures the pH of a rainwater sample four times. A different pH meter was calibrated using several solutions with known pH. The true pH of the rain was found by the calibrated pH meter to be 5.12. What can be said about the level of accuracy and precision of the uncalibrated pH meter? (LO 1.14)(a) The uncalibrated pH meter is accurate and precise. (b) The uncalibrated pH meter is neither accurate nor precise. (c) The uncalibrated pH meter is accurate but not precise. (d) The uncalibrated pH meter is precise but not accurate.
