Problem 4 on Units & Dimensions

Description:

Problem

State the number of significant figures in the following −

• 0.007 m²
• 2.64 × 10²⁴ kg
• 0.2370 g cm^-2
• 6.320 J
• 6.032 N m^-2
• 0.0006032 m²

Solution

Dealing with each part one-by-one −

0.007 m²

• 1 significant Figure.

• First non-zero digit from the left is significant. Preceding zeros are ignored.

2.64 × 10²⁴ kg

• 3 significant figures.

• Base number, 2.64, has 3 significant figures. (All non-zero digits are significant)

• Only base number is considered to check significant figures. Exponent is ignored.

0.2370 g cm^-3

• 4 significant figures.

• Trailing zeros after decimal are significant.

6.320 J

• 4 significant figures.

• First non-zero digit from the left is significant. Trailing zeros after decimal are significant.

6.032 N m^–2

• significant figures.

• All non-zero digits are significant. Zeros between any two non-zero digits are also significant.

0.0006032 m²

• 4 significant figures.

• First non-zero digit from the left is significant.