Question

State the number of significant figures in the following : (a) 0.007 m² (b) 2.64 × 10²⁴ kg (c) 0.2370 g cm¯³ (d) 6.320 J (e) 6.032 N m¯² (f) 0.0006032 m²

Answer 1

(a)

The given quantity is 0.007  m 2 .

From the significant figure condition, the numbers of zeroes after the decimal point (up-to non-zero number) are insignificant if the number before the decimal point is zero.

So for the given quantity that is, 0.007  m 2 , all the zeroes before and after the decimal point are insignificant, hence there is only one significant figure.

Thus, the number of significant figure is 1.

(b)

The given quantity is 2.64× 10 24  kg .

From the condition of significant figure, the power raise to 10 are insignificant. Hence, there are three significant figures; that are 2, 6 and 4.

Thus, the number of significant figure is 3.

(c)

The given quantity is 0.2370 g⋅ cm −3 .

From the condition of significant figure,, the zero after the decimal point comes after a non-zero number are significant. Hence, there are 4 significant figures in the quantity 0.2370 g⋅ cm −3 .

Thus, the number of significant figure is 4.

(d)

The given quantity is 6.320 J .

From the condition of significant figure, the zero after the decimal point comes after a non-zero number so it significant figure.

The number of significant figure is 4.

(e)

The given quantity is 6.032 N⋅ m −2 .

The zero in between significant numbers is considered to be significant. So the total numbers of significant figures in the quantity 6.032 N⋅ m −2 is 4.

(f)

The given quantity is 0.0006032  m −2 .

From the condition of significant figure, the numbers of zeroes after the decimal point (up-to non-zero number) are insignificant if the number before the decimal point is zero. The zero between two non-zero number are always significant figure. Thus, the number of significant figure in the quantity 0.0006032  m −2 is 4.