BELLWORK 9/13/16

 1 Tm = 1012 m 1mm = 10-3 m 1Mm = 106 m

 1). Convert 2.5 m to Tm.

 2) Convert 7.2 mm to Mm

 3) Convert 6.1 mm to Tm
Why do we have to learn
about Sig Figs?
 Sig Figs tell you what place to round your
answers to.

 Your final measurement (answer) can never be

more precise than your starting measurement.
 To understand that idea, we will discuss
accuracy vs. precision
 Accuracy & Precision

Two important points in measurement

 THE BIG CONCEPT

1. Accuracy –indicates the closeness of the

measurements to the true or accepted value.

Beware of Parallax – the apparent shift in

position when viewed at a different angle.

2. Precision - The closeness of the results to

others obtained in exactly the same way.
 Accuracy vs. Precision

High Accuracy High Precision

High Precision Low Accuracy
Master Archers
 Can you hit the bull's-eye?

Three
targets with
three
arrows each
to shoot.
Accurate Precise Neither
How do
and but not accurate
they
precise accurate nor
compare?
precise

Can you define accuracy vs. precision?

 Example: Accuracy

 Who is more accurate when measuring a book

that has a true length of 17.0 cm?
Susan:
17.0 cm, 16.0 cm, 18.0 cm, 15.0 cm

Amy:
15.5 cm, 15.0 cm, 15.2 cm, 15.3 cm
 Example - Precision

 Which set is more precise?

A. 18.2cm , 18.4cm , 18.3cm
B. 17.9cm , 18.3cm , 18.8cm
C. 16.8cm , 17.2cm , 19.4cm
 Recording Measurements
 Every experimental
measurement has a degree
of uncertainty.
 The volume, at the right is
certain in the 10’s place,
Greater than 10ml and less
than 20ml
 The 1’s digit is also certain,
greater than 17ml and less
than 20ml.
 A best guess is needed for
the tenths place.
 Known + Estimated Digits

In 2.77 cm…
• Known digits 2 and 7 are 100% certain

• The third digit 7 is estimated (uncertain)

• In the reported length, all three digits

(2.77 cm) are significant including the
estimated one
Always estimate ONE place past the
smallest mark!

11.50mL
 Learning Check

. l8. . . . I . . . . I9. . . . I . . . . I10. . cm

What is the length of the line?
1) 9.31 cm
2) 9.32 cm
3) 9.33 cm
How does your answer compare with your
neighbor’s answer? Why or why not?
 Zero as a Measured Number

. l3. . . . I . . . . I4 . . . . I . . . . I5. . cm
What is the length of the line?
First digit 5.?? cm
Second digit 5.0? cm
Last (estimated) digit is 5.00 cm
 Precision and Instruments
 Do all measuring devices have the same amount
of precision?
You indicate the precision of the
equipment by recording its
Uncertainty
 Ex: The scale on the left has an
uncertainty of (+/- .1g)

 Ex: The scale on the right has an

uncertainty of (+/- .01g)
Below are two measurements of the
mass of the same object. The same
quantity is being described at two
different levels of precision or
certainty.
 Checkpoint

 Complete the Accuracy and Precision

Worksheet with a partner.
 BELLWORK 9/14/16

 CAN YOU DETERMINE THE PRECISION

OF DATA USING ONLY THE
PERCENTAGE ERROR?

 Review answers to accuracy vs. precision

worksheet
Significant Figures
In Measurements
 Significant Figures

The significant figures in a measurement include all

of the digits that are known, plus one last digit
that is estimated.
The numbers reported in a measurement are
limited by the measuring tool.
 How to Determine Significant
Figures in a Problem

 Use the following rules:

Rule #1

 Every nonzero digit is significant

Examples:
24m = 2
3.56m = 3
7m =1
Rule #2 – Sandwiched 0’s

 Zeros between non-zeros are

significant

Examples:
7003m = 4
40.9m = 3
 Rule #3 – Leading 0’s

 Zeros appearing in front of non-zero

digits are not significant
• Act as placeholders

Examples:
0. 24m = 2
0.453m = 3
 Rule #4 – Trailing 0’s with
Decimal Points
 Zeros to the right of a decimal and after a
whole number are significant.
Examples:
43.00g = 4
1.010g = 4
1.50g = 3
0.00020g = 2
0.0002g = 1
 Performing Calculations
with Significant Figures
 Rule: When adding or subtracting
measured numbers, your answer
cannot be more precise than the
least precise measurement.
 Only count the Sig Figs that come
after the decimal.
 Adding and Subtracting
 2.45 cm + 1.2 cm = 3.65 cm,
Round off to  3.7 cm

 7.432 cm + 2 cm = 9.432 cm
Round to  9.4cm
 Multiplication and Division

 Rule: When multiplying or

dividing, the result can have no
more significant figures than the
least reliable measurement.
 Count all of the Sig figs in the
entire number.
 Examples
56.78 cm x 2.45cm = 139.111
cm 2

Round to  139cm2

75.8 cm x 9.6 cm = ?
 Learning Check

State the number of significant figures in each

of the following:
A. 0.030 m 1 2 3
B. 4.050 L 2 3 4
C. 0.0008 g 1 2 4
D. 3.00 m 1 2 3
E. 2,080,000 bees 3 5 7
 Learning Check

A. Which answer(s) contain 3 significant figures?

1) 0.4760 2) 0.00476 3) 4760
B. All the zeros are significant in
1) 0.00307 2) 25.300 3) 2.050 x 103

C. 534,675 rounded to 3 significant figures is

1) 535 2) 535,000 3) 5.35 x 105
 Learning Check

In which set(s) do both numbers contain the

same number of significant figures?
1) 22.0 m and 22.00 m
2) 400.0 m and 40 m
3) 0.000015 m and 150,000 m