Question 1

Which of the following numbers contains exactly three significant figures?

Accepted Answer

$$0.0540$$

Question 2

A student records the volume of a liquid in a graduated cylinder as shown in the image. What is the correct reading, including the estimated digit?

Accepted Answer

$$4.58\ \mathrm{mL}$$

Question 3

How many significant figures are in the measurement $$1.00000$$?

Accepted Answer

$$6$$

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the difference between accuracy and precision?

Accepted Answer

Accuracy is how close a measurement is to the true value; precision is how close repeated measurements are to each other.

Question 5

How many significant figures are in the number $$0.00090$$?

Accepted Answer

$$2$$

Question 6

Which of the following numbers is ambiguous in terms of significant figures and should be avoided unless written in scientific notation?

Accepted Answer

$$5000$$

Question 7

A student adds $$2.345$$, $$0.07$$, and $$2.9975. $$What is the sum rounded to the correct number of decimal places?

Accepted Answer

$$5.41$$

Question 8

Which of the following is the correct rule for rounding when the last digit being dropped is five or more?

Accepted Answer

Round up the last retained digit.

Question 9

A measurement is recorded as $$5.213. $$Which digit is estimated?

Accepted Answer

$$3$$

Question 10

Which of the following best describes a systematic error?

Accepted Answer

An error that tends to be either too high or too low consistently.

Question 11

When multiplying $$2.34 (3 $$sig figs) by $$0.070 (2 $$sig figs), how many significant figures should the answer have?

Accepted Answer

$$2$$

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a significant figure in the number $$0.00032$$?

Accepted Answer

The leading zeroes

Question 13

A student subtracts $$0.221$$ from $$5.9. $$What is the answer rounded to the correct number of decimal places?

Accepted Answer

$$5.7$$

Question 14

Which of the following best describes random error?

Accepted Answer

An error with equal probability of being too high or too low.

Question 15

Which of the following measurements is both precise and accurate if the true value is $$10.00\ \mathrm{g}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$10.01\ \mathrm{g},\ 9.99\ \mathrm{g},\ 10.00\ \mathrm{g}$$

Question 16

Which of the following is the correct way to report the result of $$5.349$$ rounded to two significant figures?

Accepted Answer

$$5.3$$

Question 17

Why should you avoid rounding intermediate steps in multistep calculations?

Accepted Answer

To prevent rounding errors from accumulating and affecting the final answer.

Question 18

Which of the following numbers has five significant figures?

Accepted Answer

$$1002.7$$

Question 19

Which of the following is the correct rule for determining the number of significant figures in the result of an addition or subtraction?

Accepted Answer

The result should have the same number of decimal places as the quantity with the fewest decimal places.

Significant Figures and Measurement Reliability in Chemistry

Study Guide - Practice Questions