Question

Indicate if the zeros are significant in each of the following measurements:

a. $20.05°C$ b. $5.00m$

c. $0.00002g$ d. $120000yr$

e. $8.05\times {10}^{2}L$.

Short answer

a. Zeroes in $20.05°C$are significant.

b. Zeroes in $5.00m$are significant.

c. Zeroes in $0.00002g$are not significant.

d. Zeroes in$120000yr$are not significant.

e. Zeroes in $8.05\times {10}^{2}L$are significant.

Step-by-step solution

Part (a) Step 1: Given Information

We need to Indicant the measurement $20.05°C$whether zeroes are significant or not.

Part (a) Step 2: Calculation

Considering the rules in significant figures as summarized by the table is

TableSignificant figures in measured numbers

From the above table, the zeroes are significant as they are in between nonzero digits.

Part (b) Step 1: Given Information

We need to Indicant the measurement $5.00m$weather zeroes are significant or not.

Part (b) Step 2: Calculation

Considering the rules in significant figures as summarized by the table is

TableSignificant figures in measured numbers

From the above table, the zeros are significant as they are at the end of the decimal number.

Part (c) Step 1: Given Information

We need to Indicant the measurement $0.00002g$weather zeroes are significant or not.

Part (c) Step 3: Calculation

Considering the rules in significant figures as summarized by the table is

TableSignificant figures in measured numbers

From the above table, the zeroes are not significant since they are just placeholders at the beginning of a decimal.

Part (d) Step 1: Given Information

We need to Indicant the measurement $120000yr$weather zeroes are significant or not.

Part (d) Step 2: Calculation

Considering the rules in significant figures as summarized by the table is

TableSignificant figures in measured numbers

From the above table, the zeroes are not significant since they are just placeholders at the number without a decimal point.

Part (e) Step 1: Given Information

We need to Indicant the measurement $8.05\times {10}^{2}L$weather zeroes are significant or not.

Part (e) Step 2: Calculation

Considering the rules in significant figures as summarized by the table is

TableSignificant figures in measured numbers

From the above table, the zeroes are significant since it is in between nonzero digit.