(a) What is the length of the pencil in the following figure if the ruler reads in centimeters? How many significant figures are there in this measurement?

Key Concepts

Significant Figures

Significant figures are the digits in a measurement 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 the precision of the measurement is communicated effectively.

Measurement and Units

Measurement involves quantifying physical quantities using standard units, such as centimeters for length. In this context, understanding how to read a ruler accurately is essential, as it determines the length of the pencil. Familiarity with metric units and their conversions is also important for interpreting measurements correctly.

Precision vs. Accuracy

Precision refers to the consistency of repeated measurements, while accuracy indicates how close a measurement is to the true value. In the context of measuring the length of the pencil, it is important to distinguish between these two concepts to evaluate the reliability of the measurement. A precise measurement may not be accurate if the measuring tool is miscalibrated.