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1.R: Measurement and Significant Figures (Report)

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    Part A: Measuring the Dimensions of Regular Geometric Shapes

    Experimental Data
    Shape Dimensions Measurement Significant Figures
    Circle Diameter    
           
    Rectangle Length    
      Width    

    Data Analysis

    Perform the conversions indicated below. Show your work, and report your answers in scientific notation.

    1. Convert the measured rectangle length to mm.
    2. Convert the measured circle diameter to m.
    3. Calculate the areas of your rectangle and circle in cm2 . Show your work, and report your answers to the correct number of significant figures.
      1. Area of rectangle
      2. Area of circle
    4. Convert the area of your circle to mm2 . Show your work, and report your answer in scientific notation.

    Part B: Measuring the Volume of a Sample of Water

    Experimental Data
    Measuring Device Volume Measurement Significant Figures
    50 mL Beaker    
    50 mL Graduated Cylinder    

    Data Analysis

    1. Compare your volume measurements in the table above. Which instrument, the beaker or the graduated cylinder, provides the more precise measurement? Explain.
    2. Convert the volume of water obtained using the graduated cylinder to cm3. Show your work, and report your answer in scientific notation.

    Part C: Measuring the Mass of Solids

    Table 1: Mass of an Erlenmeyer Flask
    Measuring Device Mass Measurement Significant Figures
    Triple-Beam Balance    
    Electronic Balance    
    Table 2: Weighing by Difference
    Measuring Device Mass Measurement Significant Figures
    Mass of empty beaker    
    Mass of beaker + sugar    

    Data Analysis

    1. Compare your mass measurements obtained for the Erlenmeyer flask in Table 1. Which balance, triple-beam or electronic, provides the more precise measurement? Explain.
    2. Consider the data you obtained in Table 2.
      1. Calculate the mass of salt weighed out. Show your work.
    3. Circle one: When performing the above calculation, significant figures / decimal places are the primary consideration.
    4. Perform the conversions indicated below. Show your work, and report your answers in scientific notation.
      1. Convert the mass of the salt weighed out to mg.
      2. Convert the mass of the salt weighed out to kg.

    This page titled 1.R: Measurement and Significant Figures (Report) was last modified on Fri, 30 Jan 2026 19:01:20 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Safiyyah Forbes and Patrick McKay via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.