Question

1. what is the number of significant figures in each of the following measured quantities: (a) 351 g, (b) 0.0100 ml, (c) 1.010 ml, and (d) 3.72×10⁻³ cm?

Explanation:

Step1: Rule for non - zero digits

Non - zero digits are always significant. For 351 g, all three digits (3, 5, 1) are non - zero. So the number of significant figures is 3.

Step2: Rule for leading zeros

Leading zeros (zeros before non - zero digits) are not significant. In 0.0100 mL, the leading two zeros are not significant. The non - zero digits 1, 0, 0 are significant, so there are 3 significant figures.

Step3: Rule for trailing zeros

Trailing zeros after a decimal point are significant. In 1.010 mL, the non - zero digits 1, 0, 1 and the trailing zero after the decimal point are significant. So there are 4 significant figures.

Step4: Scientific notation rule

In scientific notation \(a\times10^{n}\), all digits in \(a\) are significant. For \(3.72\times 10^{-3}\text{ cm}\), the digits 3, 7, 2 are significant. So there are 3 significant figures.

Answer:

(a) 3
(b) 3
(c) 4
(d) 3