Perform the calculation, and report the answer to the correct number of significant figures. (LO 1.16) (a) 1.5 * 10^-4 (b) 1.55 * 10^-4 (c) 1.547 * 10^-4 (d) 1.5473 * 10^-4

Verified step by step guidance

1. 1. The problem is asking you to perform calculations and report the answer to the correct number of significant figures. Significant figures are the digits in a number that carry meaningful information about its precision. In this case, you are simply multiplying a number by a power of 10, which does not change the number of significant figures.
2. 2. For (a) 1.5 * 10^-4, the number 1.5 has two significant figures. Therefore, your answer should also have two significant figures.
3. 3. For (b) 1.55 * 10^-4, the number 1.55 has three significant figures. Therefore, your answer should also have three significant figures.
4. 4. For (c) 1.547 * 10^-4, the number 1.547 has four significant figures. Therefore, your answer should also have four significant figures.
5. 5. For (d) 1.5473 * 10^-4, the number 1.5473 has five significant figures. Therefore, your answer should also have five significant figures.

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 calculations in chemistry, as it reflects 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. This notation simplifies calculations and helps maintain significant figures, especially when dealing with very small or very large quantities.

Multiplication of Numbers in Scientific Notation

When multiplying numbers in scientific notation, you multiply the coefficients and add the exponents of the powers of ten. The result must then be expressed in proper scientific notation, ensuring that the coefficient remains between 1 and 10. This process is essential for maintaining accuracy and clarity in calculations involving very small or large values.