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Significant Figures •Number of digits believed to be correct by the person doing the measuring •Includes 1 estimated digit •Read to 1/10 the smallest division on the measuring device

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Page 1: Significant Figures Number of digits believed to be correct by the person doing the measuring Includes 1 estimated digit Read to 1/10 the smallest division

Significant Figures

•Number of digits believed to be correct by the person doing the measuring

•Includes 1 estimated digit

•Read to 1/10 the smallest division on the measuring device

Page 2: Significant Figures Number of digits believed to be correct by the person doing the measuring Includes 1 estimated digit Read to 1/10 the smallest division

Beaker

• Read out to 1/10 of 10mL (1mL)

• 47 +/- 1mL

• 2 significant figures

Page 3: Significant Figures Number of digits believed to be correct by the person doing the measuring Includes 1 estimated digit Read to 1/10 the smallest division

Graduated Cylinder

• Read out to 1/10 of 1mL (0.1mL)

• 36.5 +/- 0.1mL

• 3 significant figures

Page 4: Significant Figures Number of digits believed to be correct by the person doing the measuring Includes 1 estimated digit Read to 1/10 the smallest division

Buret

• Read out to 1/10 of 0.1mL (0.01mL)

• 20.38 +/- 0.01mL

• 4 significant figures

Page 5: Significant Figures Number of digits believed to be correct by the person doing the measuring Includes 1 estimated digit Read to 1/10 the smallest division

Significant Figures

•The number of significant figures is directly linked to the measurement

•Rough estimate—would use the beaker (2sig figs) but the graduated cylinder would be better

•Put error at the end to let others know how ‘close’ the measurement is likely to be

•Does significant figures deal with precision or accuracy?