What is the difference between the measured values of 1.05m and 1.050m? What factor of a measurement tool determines the sig figs of a measured value?
The two values are different because of their sig figs, the first has 3 and the other has 4. I think that the factor of a measurement tool that determines the sig figs is the least count.
Are my answers correct? Thank you!
Your answers are partially correct. The difference between the measured values of 1.05m and 1.050m is indeed due to significant figures (sig figs). The first value has three sig figs, while the second value has four sig figs.
However, the factor of a measurement tool that determines the sig figs is not the least count. The least count is the smallest increment that can be measured by a particular instrument. It is used to determine the precision of a measurement, but it does not directly determine the number of sig figs.
The number of sig figs in a measurement is determined by the uncertainty or precision of the measurement. It depends on the limitations of the measuring instrument and the skill of the person making the measurement. In general, sig figs represent the reliability of a measurement and indicate the degree of precision in the reported value.
To determine the number of sig figs in a measured value, follow these rules:
1. All non-zero digits are significant. For example, in the value 1.05m, both "1" and "5" are significant.
2. Zeros between non-zero digits are significant. For example, in the value 1.050m, both 1 and all the zeros are significant.
3. Leading zeros (zeros before the first non-zero digit) are not significant. For example, in the value 0.0052g, the zeros before "5" are not significant.
4. Trailing zeros (zeros after the last non-zero digit) are significant if they are after the decimal point. For example, in the value 52.00 cm, all the zeros are significant. However, in the value 5200 m, the trailing zeros are not significant unless explicitly stated (e.g., 5200.00m).
So, in summary, the difference between the measured values of 1.05m and 1.050m is indeed due to the number of sig figs, and the number of sig figs in a measurement is determined by following specific rules based on the uncertainty and limitations of the measuring instrument.