Measurement and

Significant Figures

Physics 2053Laboratory Notes

1 2 3 4 5

Find the surface area of the green rectangle

Measurement and Significant Figures

Measurement and Significant Figures: vittitoe

1 2

1.24 cm

‘4’ is a Doubtful Digit

1 2 3 4 5

Measurement and Significant Figures: vittitoe

4 5

5.08 cm‘8’ is a

Doubtful Digit

1 2 3 4 5

Measurement and Significant Figures: vittitoe

1.24 cm 5.08 cm

Length = 5.08 cm 1.24 cm = 3.84 cm

1 2 3 4 5

3 Significant Figures

‘4’ is a Doubtful Digit

‘8’ is a Doubtful Digit

‘4’ is a Doubtful Digit

Measurement and Significant Figures: vittitoe

12

34

5

Measurement and Significant Figures: vittitoe

12

1.53 cm

‘3’ is a Doubtful Digit

12

34

5

Measurement and Significant Figures: vittitoe

34

‘5’ is a Doubtful Digit

3.65 cm

12

34

5

Measurement and Significant Figures: vittitoe

12

34

5

3.65 cm

1.52 cm

Width = 3.65 cm 1.53 cm = 2.12 cm

3 Significant Figures

‘2’ is a Doubtful Digit

Measurement and Significant Figures: vittitoe

3.84 cm

2.12 cm

Surface Area

3.84 cm2.12 cm

768384

768

8.1408 cm2

Three significant figuresin the product

Measurement and Significant Figures: vittitoe

Product

143.7 m 6.3 m

43118622

905.31

9.1 x 102 m2

Sum

927.4 cm 34 cm

961.4 cm

961 cm

Quotient

6

36

7272

0

3.3 x 102

12 391232

3124

Measurement and Significant Figures: vittitoe

Multiplication or DivisionThe result will have the same number of significant figuresas the quantity with the least number of significant figures that was used in the calculation.

Addition or SubtractionThe result will have the same number of decimal places as the quantity with the least number of decimal places that was used in the calculation.

Significant Figures

Measurement and Significant Figures: vittitoe