Significant Figure and Precision/Accuracy

Question 1

are 0s between nonzero digits significant?

Answer 1

ALWAYS

Ex: 1005 (4 SFs) and 7.03 (3 SFs)

Question 2

are 0s at the start of a number significant?

Answer 2

Never

Ex: 0.02 (1 SF) and 0.00026 (2 SFs)

Question 3

When are 0s significant at the end of a number?

Answer 3

ONLY if the 0s are after the decimal point AND the nonzeros

Ex: 0.0200 (3 SFs) and 3.0 (2 SFs) and 500 (1 SF)

Question 4

Why are 0s after a number and decimal considered significant?

Answer 4

Because if they are part of the measurement that an instrument gives you, then the instrument was sensitive enough to measure that zero

Question 5

When you add and subtract your answer should have the same number of decimal places as?

Answer 5

Your answer should have the same umber of decimal places as the value that has the fewest decimal places

Question 6

When multiplying or dividing your answer should have the same number of SigFigs as what?

Answer 6

Your answer should have the same number of significant figures as the value with the fewest significant figures

Question 7

Simplified difference between add/substract SigFigs and multiply/divide SigFigs?

Answer 7

A/S = fewest decimal places
M/D = fewest SigFigs

Question 8

Accuracy

Answer 8

how close a measurement is to reality

Question 9

Precision

Answer 9

how close the series of measurements are to each other. So the closer together the measurements are (or bullet holes in a target) the more precise it is

Question 10

If a target has a bunch of bullet holes close together at the edge of the target. Is it precise or accurate?

Answer 10

Precise, NOT accurate

Question 11

How do you calculate % Error?

Answer 11

% error = (actual-theoretical)/theoretical x 100