How many significant figures are in each of the following measurements? (a) 35.0445 g

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Identify all the digits in the measurement, including zeros.

Determine which zeros are significant. Remember that any zeros between non-zero digits are significant.

Count all the significant digits. In this case, all digits including zeros between the non-zero digits are significant.

Verify that trailing zeros after a decimal point are also significant.

Sum up the total number of significant figures in the measurement.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Significant Figures

Significant figures are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision. This includes all non-zero digits, any zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in the decimal portion. Understanding significant figures is crucial for accurately reporting measurements in scientific contexts.

Rules for Counting Significant Figures

There are specific rules for determining the number of significant figures in a measurement. Non-zero digits are always significant, zeros between significant digits are significant, and leading zeros are not. Trailing zeros in a decimal number are significant, while those in a whole number without a decimal point are not.

Precision vs. Accuracy

Precision refers to the consistency of repeated measurements, while accuracy indicates how close a measurement is to the true value. In the context of significant figures, a higher number of significant figures typically reflects greater precision in the measurement, which is essential for scientific calculations and reporting.

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