Significant figures Transitional Reasoning Download PDF

Questions

1. 1.

   In a physics laboratory experiment, a student investigates the pressure exerted by a solid rectangular block resting flat on a horizontal sensor pad. The student measures the force exerted by the block as 48.0 N and its base dimensions as length 0.250 m and width 0.16 m. Based on the rules of significant figures for calculated quantities, how should the calculated pressure on the sensor pad be reported?

   • A) $1.20 \times 10^3\text{ Pa}$
   • B) $1.2 \times 10^3\text{ Pa}$
   • C) $1.200 \times 10^3\text{ Pa}$
   • D) $1 \times 10^3\text{ Pa}$
2. 2.

   In an experiment to determine the speed of sound, a student sends an acoustic pulse through a tube of length 1.725 m that reflects off a closed end and returns to the sensor. The total distance traveled by the pulse is exactly twice the length of the tube, and a digital sensor records the total travel time as 0.0102 s. Based on the rules of significant figures, how should the calculated speed of sound be reported?

   • A) 300 m/s
   • B) 340 m/s
   • C) 338 m/s
   • D) 338.2 m/s
3. 3.

   A student determines the density of an irregular mineral sample in a laboratory investigation. The initial water level in a graduated cylinder is 25.4 mL, and it rises to 33.8 mL after the mineral is fully submerged. Using a digital balance, the student measures the mineral's mass as 22.45 g. Following the standard rules of significant figures for both subtraction and division, how should the calculated density of the mineral be reported?

   • A) 2.673 g/mL
   • B) 2.67 g/mL
   • C) 2.7 g/mL
   • D) 3 g/mL