OpenStax Chemistry: Atoms First 2e
1.5: Measurement Uncertainty, Accuracy, and Precision
Chemistry: Atoms First 2e
1: Essential Ideas
1.5: Measurement Uncertainty, Accuracy, and Precision
44. Express each of the following numbers in scientific notation with correct significant figures:
(a) 711.0
(b) 0.239
(c) 90743
(d) 134.2
(e) 0.05499
(f) 10000.0
(g) 0.000000738592
Solution
(a) three significant figures 7.110 × 102; (b) three significant figures 2.39 × 10–1; (c) five
significant figures 9.0743 × 104; (d) four significant figures 1.342 × 102; (e) four significant
figures 5.499 × 10–2; (f) six significant figures 1.00000 × 104; (g) six significant figures 7.38592
× 10–7
45. Express each of the following numbers in exponential notation with correct significant
figures:
(a) 704
(b) 0.03344
(c) 547.9
(d) 22086
(e) 1000.00
(f) 0.0000000651
(g) 0.007157
Solution
(a) 7.04 × 102; (b) 3.344 × 10–2; (c) 5.479 × 102; (d) 2.2086 × 104; (e) 1.00000 × 103; (f) 6.51 ×
10–8; (g) 7.157 × 10–3
46. Indicate whether each of the following can be determined exactly or must be measured with
some degree of uncertainty:
(a) the number of eggs in a basket
(b) the mass of a dozen eggs
(c) the number of gallons of gasoline necessary to fill an automobile gas tank
(d) the number of cm in 2 m
(e) the mass of a textbook
(f) the time required to drive from San Francisco to Kansas City at an average speed of 53 mi/h
Solution
(a) exact; (b) uncertain; (c) uncertain; (d) exact; (e) uncertain; (f) uncertain
47. Indicate whether each of the following can be determined exactly or must be measured with
some degree of uncertainty:
(a) the number of seconds in an hour
(b) the number of pages in this book
(c) the number of grams in your weight
(d) the number of grams in 3 kilograms
(e) the volume of water you drink in one day
(f) the distance from San Francisco to Kansas City
Page 1 of 4
1.5: Measurement Uncertainty, Accuracy, and Precision
Chemistry: Atoms First 2e
1: Essential Ideas
1.5: Measurement Uncertainty, Accuracy, and Precision
44. Express each of the following numbers in scientific notation with correct significant figures:
(a) 711.0
(b) 0.239
(c) 90743
(d) 134.2
(e) 0.05499
(f) 10000.0
(g) 0.000000738592
Solution
(a) three significant figures 7.110 × 102; (b) three significant figures 2.39 × 10–1; (c) five
significant figures 9.0743 × 104; (d) four significant figures 1.342 × 102; (e) four significant
figures 5.499 × 10–2; (f) six significant figures 1.00000 × 104; (g) six significant figures 7.38592
× 10–7
45. Express each of the following numbers in exponential notation with correct significant
figures:
(a) 704
(b) 0.03344
(c) 547.9
(d) 22086
(e) 1000.00
(f) 0.0000000651
(g) 0.007157
Solution
(a) 7.04 × 102; (b) 3.344 × 10–2; (c) 5.479 × 102; (d) 2.2086 × 104; (e) 1.00000 × 103; (f) 6.51 ×
10–8; (g) 7.157 × 10–3
46. Indicate whether each of the following can be determined exactly or must be measured with
some degree of uncertainty:
(a) the number of eggs in a basket
(b) the mass of a dozen eggs
(c) the number of gallons of gasoline necessary to fill an automobile gas tank
(d) the number of cm in 2 m
(e) the mass of a textbook
(f) the time required to drive from San Francisco to Kansas City at an average speed of 53 mi/h
Solution
(a) exact; (b) uncertain; (c) uncertain; (d) exact; (e) uncertain; (f) uncertain
47. Indicate whether each of the following can be determined exactly or must be measured with
some degree of uncertainty:
(a) the number of seconds in an hour
(b) the number of pages in this book
(c) the number of grams in your weight
(d) the number of grams in 3 kilograms
(e) the volume of water you drink in one day
(f) the distance from San Francisco to Kansas City
Page 1 of 4
