How many significant figures are in each of the following measurements? (c) 0.030 03 kg

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the non-zero digits in the measurement 0.030 03 kg.
2. Recognize that leading zeros are not significant; they only serve as placeholders.
3. Count all the digits starting from the first non-zero digit to the last digit, including any zeros between them.
4. In 0.030 03 kg, the first non-zero digit is 3, and the last digit is 3, so count all digits from the first 3 to the last 3.
5. Determine the total number of significant figures by counting these digits.

Key Concepts

Significant Figures

Significant figures are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision. This includes all non-zero digits, any zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in the decimal portion. Understanding significant figures is crucial for accurately reporting measurements and ensuring that calculations reflect the precision of the data.

Leading Zeros

Leading zeros are the zeros that precede all non-zero digits in a number. They are not considered significant because they do not affect the value of the measurement. For example, in the measurement 0.03003 kg, the leading zeros before the '3' do not count towards the significant figures.

Trailing Zeros in Decimal Numbers

Trailing zeros in a decimal number are significant because they indicate the precision of the measurement. In the example 0.03003 kg, the zeros after the '3' are significant as they provide information about the measurement's accuracy. Thus, they must be counted when determining the total number of significant figures.