How many significant figures are present in the measurement 0.00450 g?

• A. 5
• B. 3
• C. 2
• D. 4

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify all the digits in the measurement 0.00450 g and determine which are significant figures.
2. Recall that leading zeros (zeros before the first nonzero digit) are not significant; they only indicate the position of the decimal point.
3. Count the digits starting from the first nonzero digit: in 0.00450, the digits '4', '5', and the trailing zero after '5' are significant.
4. Understand that trailing zeros after a decimal point are significant because they indicate precision in the measurement.
5. Conclude that the number of significant figures in 0.00450 g is 3, corresponding to the digits '4', '5', and the trailing zero.