It was shown in the text that in a value such as 4000g, the precision of the number is uncertain. The zeros may or may not be significant. a. Suppose that the mass was determined to be 4000g. How many significant figures are present in this measurement? b. Suppose you are told that the mass lies somewhere between 3950 and 4050 g. Use scientific notation to report the value, showing an appropriate number of significant figures.

Question

It was shown in the text that in a value such as 4000g, the precision of the number is uncertain. The zeros may or may not be significant.  a. Suppose that the mass was determined to be 4000g. How many significant figures are present in this measurement?  b. Suppose you are told that the mass lies somewhere between 3950 and 4050 g. Use scientific notation to report the value, showing an appropriate number of significant figures.

anonymous · Answer

a. you have 4 significant figures, (4x10 power 3) _ the 4 being the first significant followed by the 10 expressed 3 times in multiplication

b. taking the mean mass is probably what any chemist would do...which then yields 4x10^3 grams or more conveniently 4.000 kg