Explain the need of significant figures in measurement.

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1 Answers

  • Uncertainty in measured value leads to uncertainty in calculated result.
  • Uncertainty in a value is indicated by mentioning the number of significant figures in that value. e.g. Consider, the column reading 10.2 ± 0.1 mL recorded on a burette having the least count of 0.1 mL. Here, it is said that the last digit ‘2’ in the reading is uncertain, its uncertainty is ±0.1 mL. On the other hand, the figure ‘10’ is certain.
  • The significant figures in a measurement or result are the number of digits known with certainty plus one uncertain digit.
  • In a scientific experiment, a result is obtained by doing calculation in which values of a number of quantities measured with equipment of different least counts are used.

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