Question

An object has a mass of exactly 5 g on an analytical balance that has an accuracy of 0.1 mg. to how many significant figures should this mass be recorded?

Answer 1

Answer:

The mass will be recorded upto 5 significant figures.

Step-by-step explanation:

Significant figures : The figures in a number which express the value -the magnitude of a quantity to a specific degree of accuracy is known as significant digits.

Mass of the object = 5 g = 5000 mg

1 gram = 1000 milligrams

Accuracy of the analytical weighing balance = 0.1 mg

So, the mass of the object when placed on analytical weighing balance = 5000.0 mg

Number of significant figures in 5000.0 = 5 significant figures

(All zero’s after the decimal point are always significant)

The mass will be recorded upto 5 significant figures.

Answer 2

0.1 milligrams is 0.0001 grams, so the mass should be recorded to the same accuracy,

5.0000 grams or 5000.0 milligrams

Five significant figures.