Significant Figures
Easychemistry
The number of significant figures in the measurement 0.002060 g is:
Select the correct option:
Solution
Incorrect! Answer:
4
- Rule for Leading Zeros: Zeros preceding the first non-zero digit are not significant. The '0.00' portion (three leading zeros) serves only to locate the decimal.
- Identify Significant Digits: Starting from the first non-zero digit:
- 2 — significant (1st)
- 0 — significant, trapped between non-zero digits (2nd)
- 6 — significant (3rd)
- 0 — significant, trailing zero after a non-zero digit in a decimal number (4th)
- Count: 4 significant figures.
- Common Mistake: Students often count all zeros (getting 7) or miss the trailing zero (getting 3). The trailing zero after '6' in a decimal measurement is intentional and indicates precision.
- NEET Tip: Trailing zeros in a decimal number are always significant, while trailing zeros in a whole number without a decimal point may or may not be significant.
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About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- some basic concepts in chemistry
- Topic
- significant figures
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
4
- Rule for Leading Zeros: Zeros preceding the first non-zero digit are not significant. The '0.00' portion (three leading zeros) serves only to locate the decimal.
- Identify Significant Digits: Starting from the first non-zero digit:
- 2 — significant (1st)
- 0 — significant, trapped between non-zero digits (2nd)
- 6 — significant (3rd)
- 0 — significant, trailing zero after a non-zero digit in a decimal number (4th)
- Count: 4 significant figures.
- Common Mistake: Students often count all zeros (getting 7) or miss the trailing zero (getting 3). The trailing zero after '6' in a decimal measurement is intentional and indicates precision.
- NEET Tip: Trailing zeros in a decimal number are always significant, while trailing zeros in a whole number without a decimal point may or may not be significant.
This easy difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter some basic concepts in chemistry, covering the topic of significant figures. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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