Significant Figures

This can be difficult so … This can be difficult so … Hold on tight for a wild ride Hold on tight for a wild ride

Rule 1: All nonzero digits are SIGNIFICANT 673 has 3 sig figs 673 has 3 sig figs 2.8 has 2 sig figs 2.8 has 2 sig figs x 10 8 has 4 sig figs x 10 8 has 4 sig figs

506 has three 506 has three has four has four 1.01 x 10 4 has three 1.01 x 10 4 has three Rule 2 -All zeros “ sandwiched ” or between nonzero digits are significant

Rule 3: Trailing zeros are significant if the number contains a decimal point 34,800. mL has five sig figs 34,800 mL has three sig figs

2.90 x 10 3 has three sig figs

Rule 4: Leading zeros that function only to hold the decimal point are NOT significant mL has mL has two sig figs two sig figs m has m has one sig fig one sig fig

Rule 5: Zeros in a decimal number after a non-zero digit are significant kg has kg has three sig figs three sig figs cm has cm has six sig figs six sig figs

QUIZ ,040 8, , ,100.