How many significant figures are present in the measurement 0.02030 meters?

• A. 4
• B. 2
• C. 5
• D. 3

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify all the digits in the measurement 0.02030 meters and determine which are significant. Remember that leading zeros (zeros before the first nonzero digit) are not significant.
2. Count the digits starting from the first nonzero digit. In 0.02030, the first nonzero digit is '2'.
3. Include all digits after the first nonzero digit, including any zeros that come after, because trailing zeros in a decimal number are significant.
4. So, the digits '2', '0', '3', and the final '0' are significant, along with the '0' immediately after the decimal point that comes after the leading zeros.
5. Sum all significant digits to find the total number of significant figures in 0.02030 meters.