CHAPTER 1

• Introduction: Matter,
Energy, and
Measurement

1.5 Uncertainty in
Measurement
 Numbers Encountered in Science
• Exact numbers are counted or given by definition. For
example, there are 12 eggs in 1 dozen.
• Inexact (or measured) numbers depend on how they
were determined. Scientific instruments have limitations
(equipment errors) and individuals can read some
instrumentation differently (human errors).
 Uncertainty in Measurements
• Different measuring
devices have different
uses and different
degrees of accuracy.
• All measured numbers
have some degree of
inaccuracy.
• The last digit measured
is considered reliable,
but Not exact.
 Accuracy versus Precision
• Precision is a measure of how closely
individual measurements agree with one
another.
• Accuracy refers to how closely individual
measurements agree with the correct, or
“true,” value.
• Experimentally, we often take several
measurements and determine a standard
deviation.
Measured Numbers
A measuring tool
▪ is used to determine a
quantity such as height or
the mass of an object
▪ provides numbers for a
measurement called
measured numbers
Reading a Meter Stick
. l2. . . . l . . . . l3 . . . . l . . . . l4. . cm

▪ The markings on the meter stick at the end of the blue

line are read as
The first digit 2
plus the second digit 2.7
▪ The last digit is obtained by estimating.
▪ The end of the line might be estimated between 2.7
and 2.8 as 0.05 or 0.06, which gives a reported length
of 2.75 cm or 2.76 cm.
Known + Estimated Digits
In the length reported as 2.76 cm:

▪ The digits 2 and 7 are certain (known).

▪ The final digit 6 was estimated (uncertain).
▪ All three digits (2.76) are significant, including the
estimated digit.
Learning Check
. l8. . . . l . . . . l9. . . . l . . . . l10. . cm

What is the length of the red line?

1) 9.0 cm
2) 9.03 cm
3) 9.04 cm
Solution
. l8. . . . l . . . . l9. . . . l . . . . l10. . cm

The length of the red line could be reported as

2) 9.03 cm
or 3) 9.04 cm
The estimated digit may be slightly different. Both
readings are acceptable.
Zero as a Measured Number
. l3. . . . l . . . . l4. . . . l . . . . l5. . cm

▪ For this measurement, the first and second known digits are
4.5.
▪ Because the line ends on a mark, the estimated digit in the
hundredths place is 0.
▪ This measurement is reported as 4.50 cm.
Significant Figures in Measured Numbers

Significant figures
▪ Significant figures obtained from a measurement
include all of the known digits plus the estimated
digit.
▪ The number of significant figures reported in a
measurement depends on the measuring tool.
 Significant Figures

• All digits of a measured quantity, including the uncertain

ones, are called significant figures.
• When rounding calculated numbers, we pay attention to
significant figures so we do not overstate the accuracy of
our answers.
Significant Figures
 Significant Figures
3. When the number ends in zeros but contains no decimal
point, the zeros may or may not be significant. (use dot or
scientific notation to avoid ambiguity)
Problem: whole numbers ending in zeroes.

1.03  10 g 4
1.03 times 10 to the fourth grams (three significant figures)
1.030 times 10 to the 4fourth
grams1.030  10 g (four significant figures)
1.0300 times 10 to the fourth
grams1.0300  10 g
4
(five significant figures)
Note:
Zeros that are not significant are only used to locate the decimal point (place
holder)
 Significant Figures in
Calculations
• The least certain measurement limits the number of
significant figures in the answer.
• When addition or subtraction is performed, answers are
rounded to the least significant decimal place.
• When multiplication or division is performed, answers are
rounded to the same number of digits as the
measurement with the fewest number of significant
figures.
• Know the number of appropriate digits throughout, but
round off at the end only!
Counting Significant Figures
All non-zero numbers in a measured number are significant.

Measurement Number of Significant

Figures____________
38.15 cm 4
5.6 ft 2
65.6 lb 3
122.55 m 5
Sandwiched Zeros
Sandwiched zeros
▪ occur between nonzero numbers
▪ are significant

Measurement Number of Significant

Figures____________
50.8 mm 3
2001 min 4
0.0702 lb 3
0.40505 m 5
Trailing Zeros
Trailing zeros
▪ follow nonzero numbers in numbers without decimal
points
▪ are usually place holders
▪ are not significant
Measurement Number of Significant Figures
25 000 cm 2
200 kg 1
48 600 mL 3
25 005 000 g 5
Leading Zeros
Leading zeros
▪ precede nonzero digits in a decimal number
▪ are not significant

Measurement Number of Significant Figures

0.008 mm 1
0.0156 oz 3
0.0042 lb 2
0.000262 mL 3
Significant Figures in
Scientific Notation
In scientific notation:
▪ All digits, including zeros in the coefficient, are significant.

Scientific Notation Number of Significant

Figures___________
8 x 104 m 1
8.0 x 104 m 2
8.00 x 104 m 3
Learning Check
State the number of significant figures in each of the
following measurements:
A. 0.030 m
B. 4.050 L
C. 0.0008 g
D. 2.80 m
Solution
State the number of significant figures in each of the
following measurements:
A. 0.030 m 2
B. 4.050 L 4
C. 0.0008 g 1
D. 2.80 m 3
Learning Check
A. Which answer(s) contains 3 significant figures?
1) 0.47602) 0.00476 3) 4.76 x 103
B. All the zeros are significant in
1) 0.00307 2) 25.300 3) 2.050 x 103

C. The number of significant figures in 5.80 x 102 is

1) one 3) two 3) three
Solution
A. Which answer(s) contains 3 significant figures?
2) 0.00476 3) 4.76 x 103

B. All the zeros are significant in

2) 25.300 3) 2.050 x 103

C. The number of significant figures in 5.80 x 102 is

3) three
Learning Check
In which set(s) do both numbers contain the same
number of significant figures?
1) 22.0 and 22.00
2) 400.0 and 4.00 x 102
3) 0.000015 and 150 000
Solution
In which set(s) do both numbers contain the same
number of significant figures?
3) 0.000015 and 150 000

Both numbers contain two (2) significant figures.

EXCEPTION TO SIG. FIG.:
Exact numbers: have an infinite number of significant
figures.
1. defined numbers (1 hr = 60 min)
2. constants ( (pi) = 3.1416)
3. countable objects (used in the sense of a tally)

Note: SF is applicable to anything that is measurable

Exact Numbers
An exact number is obtained
▪ when objects are counted
Example: Counting objects
2 soccer balls
4 pizzas
▪ from numbers in a defined relationship
Example: Defined relationships
1 foot = 12 inches
1 meter = 100 cm
Examples of Exact Numbers
Learning Check
A. Exact numbers are obtained by
1. using a measuring tool
2. counting
3. definition

B. Measured numbers are obtained by

1. using a measuring tool
2. counting
3. definition
 Solution
A. Exact numbers are obtained by
2. counting
3. definition

B. Measured numbers are obtained by

1. using a measuring tool
Learning Check
Classify each of the following as exact (E) or
measured (M) numbers. Explain your answer.
A.__Gold melts at 1064 °C.
B.__1 yard = 3 feet
C.__The diameter of a red blood cell is 6 x 10-4 cm.
D.__There are 6 hats on the shelf.
E.__A can of soda contains 355 mL of soda.
Solution
Classify each of the following as exact (E) or
measured (M) numbers. Explain your answer.
A. M A measuring tool is required.
B. E This is a defined relationship.
C. M A measuring tool is used to determine
length.
D. E The number of hats is obtained by counting.
E. M The volume of soda is measured.