Introduction to Chemistry

1.2 Numbers in Science

Qualitative Measurements
A description based on some quality or
characteristic
That is big.

His eyes are blue

That test was hard
Quantitative Measurements
A type of information based in quantities or
quantifiable data
That is 4000 pounds

His eyes reflect color with a wavelength of
475 nm

The average on that test was a 62%
Nature of Measurement

Part 1 - number
Part 2 - scale (unit)
Examples:
20 grams
6.63 x 10
-34
Joule seconds
Measurement - quantitative observation
consisting of 2 parts
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Scientific Notation
Some measurements need to be really large or
very small
Scientific notation helps to express these numbers in a more convenient
manner
All numbers expressed in this manner are
represented by a number between 1 and 10
multiplied by 10 raised to a power.
The number of places the decimal point has
moved determines the power of 10.
If the decimal point has moved to the left then the power is positive
If the decimal point has moved to the right then the power is negative
0.00012 = 1.2 x 10

42000.0 = 4.2 x 10
Scientific Notation Practice
Convert the following to
scientific notation

0.0001573

21069230

3321.00

0.00654030
Convert the following from
scientific notation

3.01 x 10
-5


2.4920 x 10
9


8.06004 x 10
-10


6.02 x 10
23

Scientific Notation and Your
Calculator
Using the calculator
correctly will save you
trouble on tests

Use the EE button
The Fundamental SI Units
(le Systme International, SI)
Physical Quantity
Mass
Length
Time
Temperature
Electric Current
Amount of Substance
Luminous Intensity
Name
kilogram
meter
second
Kelvin
Ampere
mole
candela
Abbreviation
kg
m
s
K
A
mol
cd
SI Units
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Uncertainty in Measurement
A digit that must be estimated is called
uncertain. A measurement always has some
degree of uncertainty.
Measurements are performed with
instruments

No instrument can read to an infinite
number of decimal places
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Precision and Accuracy
Accuracy refers to the agreement of a
particular value with the true value.
Precision refers to the degree of
agreement among several measurements
made in the same manner.
Neither
accurate nor
precise
Precise but not
accurate
Precise AND
accurate
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Rules for Counting Significant
Figures - Details
Nonzero integers always count as significant
figures.
3,456 m has
significant figures
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Rules for Counting Significant
Figures - Details
Zeros
- Leading zeros do not count as
significant figures.
0.0486 mL has
significant figures
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Rules for Counting Significant
Figures - Details
Zeros
- Trapped zeros always count as
significant figures.
16.07 atm has
significant figures
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Rules for Counting Significant
Figures - Details
Zeros
Trailing zeros are significant only if the
number contains a decimal point.
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9.300 km has 9,300 m has
0.320 L has 20 kPa has
Rules for Counting Significant
Figures - Details
Exact numbers have an infinite number of
significant figures.
1 inch = 2.54 cm, exactly
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Box and Dot Method
Box from the first nonzero to the last
nonzero
If a decimal (dot) is present box the trailing
zeros
Count all digits in the boxes

10203800 0.00389003800
Rules for Counting Significant
Figures Scientific Notation
Scientific Notation when a number is written in
Scientific Notation, all numbers before the
x 10
x
are significant
3.9080 x 10
-55
has
significant figures
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Sig Fig Practice #1
How many significant figures in each of the following?
1.0070 m
17.10 kg
100,890 L
3.29 x 10
3
s

0.0054 cm
3,200,000 mi
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Round the following numbers to the
corresponding number of significant figures
Number

1 SF 2 SF 3 SF 4 SF 5 SF
22.68 m
2
4.219409283
g/cm
3
0.04742 cm
2
236.6666667 m/s
5872.786 lbft
0.358885 g/mL
Rules for Significant Figures in
Mathematical Operations
Multiplication and Division: # sig figs in the
result equals the number in the least
precise measurement used in the
calculation.
6.38 x 2.0 = 12.76
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Sig Fig Practice #2
3.24 m x 7.0 m
Calculation Calculator says: Answer
22.68 m
2
100.0 g 23.7 cm
3
4.219409283 g/cm
3
0.02 cm x 2.371 cm
0.04742 cm
2
710 m 3.0 s 236.6666667 m/s
1818.2 lb x 3.23 ft 5872.786 lbft
1.030 g 2.87 mL
0.358885 g/mL
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Rules for Significant Figures in
Mathematical Operations
Addition and Subtraction: The number of
decimal places in the result equals the
number of decimal places in the least
precise measurement.
6.8 cm + 11.934 cm= 18.734
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Sig Fig Practice #3
3.24 m + 7.0 m
Calculation Calculator says: Answer
10.24 m

100.0 g - 23.73 g

76.27 g

0.02 cm + 2.371 cm
2.391 cm

713.1 L - 3.872 L 709.228 L
1818.2 lb + 3.37 lb 1821.57 lb
2.030 mL - 1.870 mL 0.16 mL
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