Chemistry 105 Chapter 2
Significant Figures in a Correctly Reported Measurement
1. All nonzero digits are significant. 2. Interior zeros (zeros between two numbers) are significant. 3. Trailing zeros (zeros to the right of a nonzero number) that fall after a decimal point are significant. 4. Trailing zeros that fall before a decimal point are significant. 5. Leading zeros (zeros to the left of the first nonzero number) are NOT significant. They serve only to locate the decimal point. 6 Trailing zeros at the end of a number, but before an implied decimal point, are ambiguous and should be avoided.
Counting Significant Figures How many significant figures are in each number?
0.0035 two significant figures 1.080 four significant figures 2371 four significant figures 2.9 × 105 three significant figures 1 dozen = 12 unlimited significant figures 100.00 five significant figures 100,000 ambiguous
Volume as a Derived Unit
A ___________ is formed from other units. Many units of volume, a measure of space, are derived units. Any unit of length, when cubed (raised to the third power), becomes a unit of volume. Cubic meters (m3), cubic centimeters (cm3), and cubic millimeters (mm3) are all units of volume.
Writing Very Large and Very Small Numbers
A positive exponent means 1 multiplied by 10 n times. A negative exponent (-n) means 1 divided by 10 n times.
The Solution Map
A solution map is a visual outline that shows the strategic route required to solve a problem. For unit conversion, the solution map focuses on units and how to convert from one unit to another.
Example: Comparing Densities
A titanium bicycle frame contains the same amount of titanium as a titanium cube measuring 6.8 cm on a side. Use the density of titanium to calculate the mass in kilograms of titanium in the frame. What would be the mass of a similar frame composed of iron?
Converting Between Units
Conversion factors are constructed from any two quantities known to be equivalent. We construct the conversion factor by dividing both sides of the equality by 1 in. and canceling the units.
Solving Multistep Unit Conversion Problems
Each step in the solution map should have a conversion factor with the units of the previous step in the denominator and the units of the following step in the numerator.
To Convert a Number to Scientific Notation
Find the decimal part. Find the exponent. Move the decimal point to obtain a number between 1 and 10. Multiply that number (the decimal part) by 10 raised to the power that reflects the movement of the decimal point.
Problem-Solving and Unit Conversions
Getting to an equation to solve from a problem statement requires critical thinking. No simple formula applies to every problem, yet you can learn problem-solving strategies and begin to develop some chemical intuition. Unit conversion type: Many of the problems can be thought of as unit conversion problems, in which you are given one or more quantities and asked to convert them into different units. Specific equation type: Other problems require the use of specific equations to get to the information you are trying to find.
General Problem-Solving Strategy
Identify the starting point (the given information). Identify the end point (what you must find). Devise a way to get from the starting point to the end point using what is given as well as what you already know or can look up. You can use a solution map to diagram the steps required to get from the starting point to the end point. In graphic form, we can represent this progression as Given Solution Map Find
To Convert a Number to Scientific Notation
If the decimal point is moved to the left, the exponent is positive. If the decimal point is moved to the right, the exponent is negative.
Highlight Problem Involving Units
In 1999, NASA lost a $94 million orbiter because two groups of engineers failed to communicate to each other the units that they used in their calculations. Consequently, the orbiter descended too far into the Martian atmosphere and burned up.
A Solution Map Involving the Equation for Density
In a problem involving an equation, the solution map shows how the equation takes you from the given quantities to the find quantity.
Significant Figures in Calculations Addition and Subtraction Rule:
In addition or subtraction calculations, the result carries the same number of decimal places as the quantity carrying the fewest decimal places.
Both Multiplication/Division and Addition/Subtraction
In calculations involving both multiplication/division and addition/subtraction, do the steps in parentheses first; determine the correct number of significant figures in the intermediate answer without rounding; then do the remaining steps.
Converting Between Units
In solving problems, always check if the final units are correct, and consider whether or not the magnitude of the answer makes sense. Conversion factors can be inverted because they are equal to 1 and the inverse of 1 is 1.
Both Multiplication/Division and Addition/Subtraction
In the calculation 3.489 × (5.67 - 2.3), do the step in parentheses first. 5.67 - 2.3 = 3.37 Use the subtraction rule to determine that the intermediate answer has only one significant decimal place. To avoid small errors, it is best not to round at this point; instead, underline the least significant figure as a reminder. 3.489 × 3.37 = 11.758 = 12 Use the multiplication rule to determine that the intermediate answer (11.758) rounds to two significant figures (12) because it is limited by the two significant figures in 3.37
Chapter 2 in Review Chemical Skills Learning Objective
LO: Convert between units. LO: Convert units raised to a power. LO: Calculate the density of a substance. LO: Use density as a conversion factor.
Chapter 2 in Review Chemical Skills Learning Objectives
LO: Determine the correct number of significant figures in the results of multiplication and division calculations. LO: Determine the correct number of significant figures in the results of addition and subtraction calculations. LO: Determine the correct number of significant figures in the results of calculations involving both addition/subtraction and multiplication/division.
Chapter 2 in Review Chemical Skills Learning Objectives
LO: Express very large and very small numbers using scientific notation. LO: Report measured quantities to the right number of digits. LO: Determine which digits in a number are significant. LO: Round numbers to the correct number of significant figures.
Writing Numbers to Reflect Precision
Pennies come in whole numbers, and a count of seven pennies means seven whole pennies. Our knowledge of the amount of gold in a 10-g gold bar depends on how precisely it was measured.
General Problem-Solving Strategy
Sort. Begin by sorting the information in the problem. Strategize. Create a solution map—the series of steps that will get you from the given information to the information you are trying to find. Solve. Carry out mathematical operations (paying attention to the rules for significant figures in calculations) and cancel units as needed. Check. Does this answer make physical sense? Are the units correct?
Highlight Problem Involving Units
Suppose that the Mars orbiter was to have established orbit at 155 km and that one group of engineers specified this distance as 1.55 × 105 m. Suppose further that a second group of engineers programmed the orbiter to go to 1.55 × 105 ft. What was the difference in kilometers between the two altitudes? How low did the probe go?
mass
The _______ of an object is a measure of the quantity of matter within it.
weight, gravity
The ________ of an object is a measure of the gravitational pull on that matter. Consequently, ________ depends on _______ while mass does not.
Chapter 2 in Review Density:
The density of a substance is its mass divided by its volume, d = m/V, and is usually reported in units of grams per cubic centimeter or grams per milliliter. Density is a fundamental property of all substances and generally differs from one substance to another.
Density
The density of a substance is the ratio of its mass to its volume.
Reporting Scientific Numbers
The first four digits are certain; the last digit is estimated. The greater the precision of the measurement, the greater the number of significant figures.
Reporting the Measure of Global Temperatures
The graph in this image displays average global temperatures (relative to the mean) over the past 100 years.
Significant Figures in Calculations Multiplication and Division Rule:
The intermediate result (in blue) is rounded to three significant figures to reflect the least precisely known factor (6.10), which has three significant figures.
Significant Figures in Calculations Multiplication and Division Rule:
The intermediate result (in blue) is rounded to two significant figures to reflect the least precisely known factor (0.10), which has two significant figures.
Weight vs. Mass
The kilogram is a measure of mass, which is different from weight. The mass of an object is a measure of the quantity of matter within it. The weight of an object is a measure of the gravitational pull on that matter. Consequently, weight depends on gravity while mass does not.
Significant Figures in Calculations Multiplication and Division Rule:
The result of multiplication or division carries the same number of significant figures as the factor with the fewest significant figures.
Diagram Conversions Using a Solution Map
The solution map for converting from inches to centimeters is as follows: The solution map for converting from centimeters to inches is as follows:
Basic Units of Measurement: Length
The standard of _______ The definition of a meter, established by international agreement in 1983, is the distance that light travels in vacuum in 1/299,792,458 s. (The speed of light is 299,792,458 m/s.)
Basic Units of Measurement: Mass
The standard of ________ The kilogram is defined as the mass of a block of metal kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures at Sèvres, France. A duplicate is kept at the National Institute of Standards and Technology near Washington, D.C.
Basic Units of Measurement: Time
The standard of________ The second is defined, using an atomic clock, as the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation emitted from a certain transition in a cesium-133 atom.
Uncertainty Indicated by Last Reported Digit
The uncertainty is indicated by the last reported digit. Example: measuring global temperatures Average global temperatures have risen by 0.6 °C in the last century. By reporting a temperature increase of 0.6 °C, the scientists mean 0.6 +/- 0.1 °C. The temperature rise could be as much as 0.7 °C or as little as 0.5 °C, but it is not 1.0 °C. The degree of certainty in this particular measurement is critical, influencing political decisions that directly affect people's lives.
The Basic Units of Measurement
The unit system for science measurements, based on the metric system, is called the International System of Units (Système International d'Unités) or SI units.
kilogram
The_________ is a measure of mass, which is different from weight.
Estimating Tenths of a Gram
This balance has markings every 1 g. We estimate to the tenths place. To estimate between markings, mentally divide the space into 10 equal spaces and estimate the last digit. This reading is 1.2 g.
Estimating Hundredths of a Gram
This scale has markings every 0.1 g. We estimate to the hundredths place. The correct reading is 1.26 g.
Chapter 2 in Review Uncertainty:
Uncertainty: Scientists report measured quantities so that the number of digits reflects the certainty in the measurement. Write measured quantities so that every digit is certain except the last, which is estimated.
Using Dimensional Analysis to Convert Between Units
Units are multiplied, divided, and canceled like any other algebraic quantities. Using units as a guide to solving problems is called dimensional analysis. Always write every number with its associated unit. Always include units in your calculations, dividing them and multiplying them as if they were algebraic quantities. Do not let units appear or disappear in calculations. Units must flow logically from beginning to end. For most conversion problems, we are given a quantity in some units and asked to convert the quantity to another unit. These calculations take the form:
Chapter 2 in Review Units:
Units: Measured quantities usually have units associated with them. The SI units: length: meter, mass: kilogram, time: second Prefix multipliers such as kilo- or milli- are often used in combination with these basic units. The SI units of volume are units of length raised to the third power; liters or milliliters are often used as well.
Significant Figures in Calculations Rules for Rounding: down
Use only the last (or leftmost) digit being dropped to decide in which direction to round—ignore all digits to the right of it. Round _______ if the last digit dropped is 4 or less; round up if the last digit dropped is 5 or more.
Density as a Conversion Factor
We can use the density of a substance as a conversion factor between the mass of the substance and its volume. For a liquid substance with a density of 1.32 g/cm3, what volume should be measured to deliver a mass of 68.4 g?
Conversion with Units Raised to a Power
We cube both sides to obtain the proper conversion factor. We can do the same thing in fractional form.
Converting Units Raised to a Power
When converting quantities with units raised to a power, the conversion factor must also be raised to that power
Significant Figures in Calculations Rules for Rounding:
When numbers are used in a calculation, the result is __________to reflect the significant figures of the data. For calculations involving multiple steps, _______ only the final answer—do not_______ off between steps. This practice prevents small _______errors from affecting the final answer.
Physical Property: Density
Why do some people pay more than $3000 for a bicycle made of titanium? For a given volume of metal, titanium has less mass than steel. We describe this property by saying that titanium (4.50 g/cm3) is less dense than iron (7.86 g/cm3).
Identifying Exact Numbers
__________ have an unlimited number of significant figures. Exact counting of discrete objects Integral numbers that are part of an equation Defined quantities Some conversion factors are defined quantities, while others are not. 1 in. = 2.54 cm exact
Choosing Prefix Multipliers
___________ that is most convenient for a particular measurement. Pick a unit similar in size to (or smaller than) the quantity you are measuring. A short chemical bond is about 1.2 × 10-10 m. Which ___________ should you use? pico = 10-12; nano = 10-9 The most convenient one is probably the picometer. Chemical bonds measure about 120 pm.
