Indicate if the zeros are significant in each of the following measurements:a. 20.05 °Cb. 5.00 mc. 0.000 02 gd. 120 000 yre. 8.05 x 10² L

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the rules for determining significant figures: zeros between non-zero digits are significant, leading zeros are not significant, trailing zeros in a decimal number are significant, and trailing zeros in a whole number without a decimal point are not significant.
2. For 20.05 °C: The zeros are between non-zero digits, so they are significant.
3. For 5.00 m: The zeros are trailing zeros in a decimal number, so they are significant.
4. For 0.000 02 g: The zeros are leading zeros, so they are not significant.
5. For 120 000 yr: The zeros are trailing zeros in a whole number without a decimal point, so they are not significant.

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 a decimal number. Understanding significant figures is crucial for determining the precision of measurements and for reporting results accurately in scientific contexts.

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 number. For example, in the measurement 0.000 02 g, the leading zeros are not significant, and only the '2' is counted as significant.

Trailing Zeros

Trailing zeros are the zeros that follow non-zero digits in a number. Their significance depends on the presence of a decimal point. In a decimal number, such as 20.05 °C, trailing zeros are significant, while in a whole number without a decimal point, such as 120 000 yr, they may or may not be significant depending on the context.