How many significant figures are in each of the following measurements? (e) 5.10⨉10² J

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the significant figures in the coefficient of the scientific notation.
2. In the number 5.10, each digit is significant.
3. The digit '5' is significant because it is a non-zero digit.
4. The digit '1' is significant because it is a non-zero digit.
5. The digit '0' is significant because it is a trailing zero in a decimal number.

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.

Scientific Notation

Scientific notation is a way of expressing numbers that are too large or too small to be conveniently written in decimal form. It is represented as a product of a number between 1 and 10 and a power of ten. For example, 5.10 × 10² indicates that the number is 510, and it helps in identifying significant figures more easily in large or small values.

Rules for Counting Significant Figures

There are specific rules for counting significant figures in measurements. For example, all non-zero digits are significant, any zeros between significant digits are significant, and trailing zeros in a decimal number are also significant. Applying these rules correctly allows for accurate communication of the precision of measurements in scientific contexts.