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Physics Notes

The document discusses scientific notation and significant figures. It defines the significant figure rules and how to determine the number of significant figures in measurements. It also explains how to add and subtract quantities using the correct number of significant figures by determining the least accurate measurement. The document further discusses scientific notation, how to write numbers in scientific notation form, and how to perform addition, subtraction and multiplication on quantities in scientific notation.

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Khayh Jhyv Hyasynth A. Villagracia
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28 views5 pages

Physics Notes

The document discusses scientific notation and significant figures. It defines the significant figure rules and how to determine the number of significant figures in measurements. It also explains how to add and subtract quantities using the correct number of significant figures by determining the least accurate measurement. The document further discusses scientific notation, how to write numbers in scientific notation form, and how to perform addition, subtraction and multiplication on quantities in scientific notation.

Uploaded by

Khayh Jhyv Hyasynth A. Villagracia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Scientific Notation and Significant Figures

Significant Figure Rules


1. Nonzero digits are always significant.

2. Zeros between significant digits are considered significant. For example, 1 005 has four
significant figures.

3. Only the final zero and trailing zeros following a decimal point are considered significant. For
example, 52 000 has only two significant figures, while 0.600 has three significant figures.

4. Zeros that appear before the nonzero digit are not significant. For example, 0.0005 has only
one significant figure.

How do you add and subtract quantities using the


correct number of significant figures?
The final answer must contain the same number of decimal places as the least accurate measurement.
Least accurate measurement refers to the quantity with the least number of decimal places.

For example, you are asked to solve the following: 501.02 m + 61.1 m.

Begin by determining the number of significant figures in the decimal portion. In our example, 501.02 m
has two significant figures after the decimal point, while 61.1 m has only one significant figure after
the decimal point. The final answer should contain the same number of significant decimal places as the
least accurate measurement. The least accurate measurement contains only one significant decimal
place.

Therefore, the final answer should only contain one decimal place. Without using significant figures,
501.02 m + 61.1 m = 562.12 m. If the rule of significant figures is applied, the sum would be 562.1 m. The
same rules are followed in subtraction.
Scientific Notation and Significant Figures

Scientific Notation Rule


1. Moving the decimal point to the left makes the exponent positive while moving it to the right
makes it negative.

Example:
1. Move the decimal point to get a number, N, between the digits 1 and 5. Since the
given quantity is a whole number, it is understood that its decimal point is located at its end. So, N = 1.57.

2. Determine the exponent, a. This depends on the number of times you move the decimal point. In the
example, the decimal is moved seven times to the left, making the exponent positive. Therefore, a = 7.

3. Write the number in the correct scientific notation following the format above.
Therefore, 15 700 000 K is equal to 1.57 ✕ 10 ^7 K.

The radius of a hydrogen atom is 0.000000000025 m.


Following the similar steps above:

1. Move the decimal point to determine N. In the example, move the decimal point to the right between 2 and
5 to determine N. So, N = 2.5.

2. Determine the exponent. In this example, the decimal point is moved 11 times to the right, making the
exponent negative. Therefore, a = −11.

3. Write the number in the correct scientific notation form. Therefore, 0.000000000025 m is equivalent to
2.5 ✕ 10 ^ −11 m.
Scientific Notation and Significant Figures
Addition of Scientific Notation
Suppose you are required to add the following
To add and subtract quantities in
masses: 5.5 ✕ 10^3 kg and 3.6 ✕ 10^3 kg. This can
scientific notation, you need to make sure
be calculated by using the distributive property of
first that the expressions have similar
multiplication. The common factor 10^3, can be
terms. It means that the quantities have
factored out as follows.
the same base numbers and exponents.
This rule is important because it makes
1. Begin by factoring out the common factor 10 ^3.
sure that all the places of the values are
lined up accordingly.
2. Add N accordingly and make sure that it follows
the standard form of the scientific notation.
Scientific Notation and Significant Figures
Subtraction of Scientific Notation

To add and subtract quantities in


scientific notation, you need to make sure
first that the expressions have similar
terms. It means that the quantities have
the same base numbers and exponents.
This rule is important because it makes
sure that all the places of the values are
lined up accordingly.

Multiplication of Scientific Notation


Physical Quantities and Measurement

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