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Chem Chapter 1 Lecture

The document discusses scientific notation and significant figures. It explains that scientific notation is a way to write very large or small numbers as a number between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10. The power of 10 is determined by the number of places the decimal is moved. It also outlines the rules for determining the number of significant figures in measurements and calculations, such as only including digits that are known with certainty and limiting digits in results based on the least precise input.

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Richard Livellara
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50 views

Chem Chapter 1 Lecture

The document discusses scientific notation and significant figures. It explains that scientific notation is a way to write very large or small numbers as a number between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10. The power of 10 is determined by the number of places the decimal is moved. It also outlines the rules for determining the number of significant figures in measurements and calculations, such as only including digits that are known with certainty and limiting digits in results based on the least precise input.

Uploaded by

Richard Livellara
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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III.

Reporting of Numbers and Scientific (Exponential Notation) –


Section 1.3
A. Number Sizes

1. Very large and very small numbers take a long time to write.

a. 0.000000001

b. 1000000000

2. There is a convenient way to write very small or very large


numbers called scientific (exponential) notation.

a. The number is written as the product of a number between


1 and 10, multiplied by 10 raised to a power.

i. 0.000000001 = 1.0 x 10-9

ii. 1000000000 = 1.0 x 109

b. Converting numbers to scientific (exponential) notation.

i. Move the decimal point in the number to produce a


number between 1 and 10.

ii. If the decimal point is moved right it will produce a


negative exponent.

iii. If the decimal point is moved left, it will produce a


positive exponent.

iv. The number of positions the decimal point must be


moved equals the value of the exponent.
c. Examples of how to convert a number to scientific
(exponential) notation.

IV. Reporting of Numbers and Significant Figures – Section 1.3

A. Measurement and Uncertainty

1. Every experimental measurement, no matter how precise, has


a degree of uncertainty in it.

a. There is a limit to the number of digits that can be


determined on any piece of equipment.

b. Every piece of equipment has an inherent error associated


with it that also leads to inaccuracies in measurement.
2. The precision of any measurement is obtained by reading the
value measured to ALL digits known with accuracy and
adding a last estimated digit that is usually considered
uncertain by plus or minus 1
(or + 1).

Volume = 17.6 mL

B. Significant Figures

1. The total number of digits used to express a measurement is


called the number of significant figures.

a. The volume of the graduated cylinder, 17.6 mL, has three


significant figures.
b. The quantity 65.07 g has four significant figures.

2. Rules for determining significant figures.

a. Zeroes in the middle of a number are significant. 69.08 g


has four significant figures, 6, 9, 0, and 8.
b. Zeroes at the beginning of a number are not significant.
0.0089 g has two significant figure, 8 and 9.

c. Zeroes at the end of a number and after the decimal points


are significant. 2.50 g has three significant figures 2, 5,
and 0. 25.00 m has four significant figures 2, 5, 0, and 0.

d. Zeroes at the end of a number and before an implied


decimal points may or may not be significant. 1500 kg may
have two, three, or four significant figures. Zeroes here
may be part of the measurements or simply to fill places
before a decimal point.

C. Significant Figures in calculations

1. Calculators generally produce eight to ten digits whenever a


calculation is performed.

2. The number of significant figures however is generally much


smaller than the number of figures produced by the
calculator.

3. Thus, the large number must be rounded off to a smaller


number with the correct number of significant figures.

4. Rules for determining the number of significant figures


permitted in a mathematical operation.

a. Rule 1 (For multiplication and divisions): The answer can’t


have more significant figures than either of the original
numbers.

2.75 * 3.1 = 8.5 two significant figures

b. Rule 2 (For addition and subtraction): The number can’t


have more digits after the decimal point than either of the
original numbers.

2.35 + 0.001 = 2.35

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