Name: Significant Figures Activity

Objective: To apply and understand significant figures.

Data:
Stat- # of Decimal Places Tool Can # of
Measuring Device Object Reading
ion Report sig figs
1 100 mL graduated colored water
cylinder 1 decimal place
mL
2 25 mL graduated cylinder colored water

mL
3 50 mL beaker colored water

mL
4 Electronic balance “A” block

g
5 Electronic balance “B” block

g
6 Alcohol thermometer water

°C
7 Temperature probe water

°C
8 Ruler “A” block

cm
9 Ruler “B” block

cm
Conclusion Questions:
1. What determines the accuracy of a measurement?

2. What determines the precision of a measurement?

3. Which of the instruments used during this activity gave you the most accurate and precise value for the following
measurements?
a. volume of a liquid b. mass
c. temperature d. length

4. Calculate the following and express answers with correct number of significant figures.
a. 59.67g + 3.1g=___________ b. 9mL + 2.5mL + 2.24mL=____________

c. 100.4°C - 91°C=____________ d. 13.45cm + 6.7cm=____________

5. Calculate the following and express answers with correct number of significant figures.
a. 54.67g/2.31mL=____________ b. 52.0g/4.1mL=____________

d. 4.56cm X 13.84cm=____________ c. 13cm X 13.4cm X 13.67cm=____________

6. Calculate the following and express answers with correct number of significant figures. Remember that there is no
uncertainty in a conversion factor. Show all work using dimensional analysis!
a. It is 35 miles from your house to the nearest movie theater. What is this distance expressed in km?
(1 mile = 1.6093 kilometers)

b. The mass of a book is 15.0 kilograms, what is this expressed in nanograms?