Significant figures Knowledge-Based Practice

Questions

1. 1.

   What do the significant figures in a properly reported scientific measurement represent?

   • A) Only the digits that are known with absolute certainty
   • B) All digits known with certainty plus one estimated digit
   • C) All digits that appear on a measuring instrument display
   • D) Only the digits located to the right of the decimal point
2. 2.

   In the measurement 0.05020 m, which of the zeros are considered significant?

   • A) Only the zero between 5 and 2
   • B) The zero between 5 and 2, and the final trailing zero
   • C) All four zeros
   • D) Only the two leading zeros to the left of 5
3. 3.

   A student evaluates the expression $(16.84 - 16.24) \div 2.000$ using measured values. According to the rules for significant figures, what is the correctly reported result?

   • A) 0.3
   • B) 0.300
   • C) 0.30
   • D) 0.3000
4. 4.

   A student subtracts a measured length of 24.3 cm from 25.18 cm. Following the rules for significant figures, how many significant figures does the properly reported difference contain?

   • A) 1
   • B) 2
   • C) 3
   • D) 4
5. 5.

   A student measures the total mass of 12 identical metal washers to be 54.6 g. According to the rules for significant figures, how many significant figures should be reported for the calculated mass of one washer?

   • A) 2
   • B) 3
   • C) 4
   • D) Infinite
6. 6.

   What is the measurement 0.03048 m correctly expressed when rounded to three significant figures?

   • A) 0.030 m
   • B) 0.0305 m
   • C) 0.0304 m
   • D) 0.031 m
7. 7.

   A student measures the mass of a metal block as 24.60 g and its volume as 3.0 cm³. According to the rules of significant figures, how should the calculated density of the block be reported?

   • A) 8 g/cm³
   • B) 8.20 g/cm³
   • C) 8.2 g/cm³
   • D) 8.200 g/cm³

Answers and step-by-step solutions appear after you finish the test.