The Molecular Mass Of A Certain Acid Is Calculated By Dividing 1.458 Grams By 0.00549 Moles.Using Significant Digits, How Should A Student Report The Molecular Mass?A. 266 G/mol B. 265.6 G/mol C. 265.57 G/mol D. 265.574 G/mol
Understanding Significant Digits
Significant digits are an essential concept in chemistry, particularly when performing calculations involving measurements. They refer to the digits in a measurement that are known to be reliable and certain. In this article, we will explore the concept of significant digits and how they apply to calculating the molecular mass of a certain acid.
Calculating Molecular Mass
The molecular mass of a substance is calculated by dividing its mass in grams by its number of moles. In this case, the molecular mass of the acid is calculated by dividing 1.458 grams by 0.00549 moles.
The Calculation
To calculate the molecular mass, we divide the mass of the acid (1.458 grams) by the number of moles (0.00549 moles).
Molecular Mass = Mass / Number of Moles = 1.458 g / 0.00549 mol = 265.57 g/mol
Significant Digits in the Calculation
When performing calculations involving measurements, it is essential to consider the significant digits of the measurements. In this case, the mass of the acid (1.458 grams) has three significant digits, and the number of moles (0.00549 moles) has four significant digits.
Applying Significant Digits to the Calculation
When dividing two measurements, the number of significant digits in the result is determined by the measurement with the fewest significant digits. In this case, the mass of the acid (1.458 grams) has three significant digits, so the result of the calculation should also have three significant digits.
Reporting the Molecular Mass
Based on the calculation and the application of significant digits, the molecular mass of the acid should be reported as 265 g/mol.
Comparison with the Options
Let's compare our result with the options provided:
A. 266 g/mol - This option has four significant digits, which is not consistent with the measurement with the fewest significant digits. B. 265.6 g/mol - This option has four significant digits, which is not consistent with the measurement with the fewest significant digits. C. 265.57 g/mol - This option has five significant digits, which is not consistent with the measurement with the fewest significant digits. D. 265.574 g/mol - This option has six significant digits, which is not consistent with the measurement with the fewest significant digits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the molecular mass of the acid should be reported as 265 g/mol, which is consistent with the measurement with the fewest significant digits.
Key Takeaways
- Significant digits are an essential concept in chemistry, particularly when performing calculations involving measurements.
- The number of significant digits in the result of a calculation is determined by the measurement with the fewest significant digits.
- When reporting the result of a calculation, it is essential to consider the significant digits of the measurements involved.
Additional Resources
For further information on significant digits and their application in chemistry, please refer to the following resources:
Final Thoughts
Q: What are significant digits?
A: Significant digits are the digits in a measurement that are known to be reliable and certain. They are used to express the precision of a measurement.
Q: Why are significant digits important in chemistry?
A: Significant digits are important in chemistry because they help to ensure that calculations are accurate and reliable. By considering the significant digits of measurements, chemists can avoid errors and obtain precise results.
Q: How do I determine the number of significant digits in a measurement?
A: To determine the number of significant digits in a measurement, look for the following:
- Non-zero digits: These are the digits that are known to be reliable and certain.
- Zeros between non-zero digits: These zeros are also significant digits.
- Leading zeros: These zeros are not significant digits.
- Trailing zeros: These zeros are significant digits only if the number contains a decimal point.
Q: What is the rule for significant digits when performing calculations?
A: When performing calculations, the number of significant digits in the result is determined by the measurement with the fewest significant digits.
Q: How do I report the result of a calculation involving significant digits?
A: When reporting the result of a calculation involving significant digits, round the result to the correct number of significant digits based on the measurement with the fewest significant digits.
Q: What is the difference between significant digits and decimal places?
A: Significant digits refer to the digits in a measurement that are known to be reliable and certain, while decimal places refer to the number of digits after the decimal point.
Q: Can I use a calculator to determine the number of significant digits in a measurement?
A: No, a calculator cannot determine the number of significant digits in a measurement. You must use your knowledge of significant digits to determine the correct number of significant digits.
Q: Why is it important to consider significant digits when performing calculations involving measurements?
A: Considering significant digits when performing calculations involving measurements helps to ensure that the results are accurate and reliable. It also helps to avoid errors and obtain precise results.
Q: Can I use significant digits to determine the precision of a measurement?
A: Yes, significant digits can be used to determine the precision of a measurement. The number of significant digits in a measurement indicates the level of precision.
Q: What is the relationship between significant digits and the uncertainty of a measurement?
A: The number of significant digits in a measurement is related to the uncertainty of the measurement. A measurement with more significant digits has a lower uncertainty.
Q: Can I use significant digits to determine the accuracy of a measurement?
A: Yes, significant digits can be used to determine the accuracy of a measurement. A measurement with more significant digits is more accurate.
Q: What is the difference between significant digits and the number of decimal places?
A: Significant digits refer to the digits in a measurement that are known to be reliable and certain, while the number of decimal places refers to the number of digits after the decimal point.
Q: Can I use significant digits to determine the number of decimal places in a measurement?
A: No, significant digits cannot be used to determine the number of decimal places in a measurement. The number of decimal places is determined by the number of digits after the decimal point.
Q: Why is it important to use significant digits when reporting the result of a calculation?
A: Using significant digits when reporting the result of a calculation helps to ensure that the results are accurate and reliable. It also helps to avoid errors and obtain precise results.
Q: Can I use significant digits to determine the precision of a calculation?
A: Yes, significant digits can be used to determine the precision of a calculation. The number of significant digits in the result of a calculation indicates the level of precision.
Q: What is the relationship between significant digits and the uncertainty of a calculation?
A: The number of significant digits in the result of a calculation is related to the uncertainty of the calculation. A calculation with more significant digits has a lower uncertainty.
Q: Can I use significant digits to determine the accuracy of a calculation?
A: Yes, significant digits can be used to determine the accuracy of a calculation. A calculation with more significant digits is more accurate.
Q: What is the difference between significant digits and the number of significant figures?
A: Significant digits and significant figures are the same thing. They refer to the digits in a measurement that are known to be reliable and certain.
Q: Can I use significant digits to determine the number of significant figures in a measurement?
A: Yes, significant digits can be used to determine the number of significant figures in a measurement. The number of significant digits in a measurement is equal to the number of significant figures.
Q: Why is it important to use significant digits when performing calculations involving measurements?
A: Using significant digits when performing calculations involving measurements helps to ensure that the results are accurate and reliable. It also helps to avoid errors and obtain precise results.
Q: Can I use significant digits to determine the precision of a measurement?
A: Yes, significant digits can be used to determine the precision of a measurement. The number of significant digits in a measurement indicates the level of precision.
Q: What is the relationship between significant digits and the uncertainty of a measurement?
A: The number of significant digits in a measurement is related to the uncertainty of the measurement. A measurement with more significant digits has a lower uncertainty.
Q: Can I use significant digits to determine the accuracy of a measurement?
A: Yes, significant digits can be used to determine the accuracy of a measurement. A measurement with more significant digits is more accurate.
Q: What is the difference between significant digits and the number of decimal places?
A: Significant digits refer to the digits in a measurement that are known to be reliable and certain, while the number of decimal places refers to the number of digits after the decimal point.
Q: Can I use significant digits to determine the number of decimal places in a measurement?
A: No, significant digits cannot be used to determine the number of decimal places in a measurement. The number of decimal places is determined by the number of digits after the decimal point.
Q: Why is it important to use significant digits when reporting the result of a calculation?
A: Using significant digits when reporting the result of a calculation helps to ensure that the results are accurate and reliable. It also helps to avoid errors and obtain precise results.
Q: Can I use significant digits to determine the precision of a calculation?
A: Yes, significant digits can be used to determine the precision of a calculation. The number of significant digits in the result of a calculation indicates the level of precision.
Q: What is the relationship between significant digits and the uncertainty of a calculation?
A: The number of significant digits in the result of a calculation is related to the uncertainty of the calculation. A calculation with more significant digits has a lower uncertainty.
Q: Can I use significant digits to determine the accuracy of a calculation?
A: Yes, significant digits can be used to determine the accuracy of a calculation. A calculation with more significant digits is more accurate.
Q: What is the difference between significant digits and the number of significant figures?
A: Significant digits and significant figures are the same thing. They refer to the digits in a measurement that are known to be reliable and certain.
Q: Can I use significant digits to determine the number of significant figures in a measurement?
A: Yes, significant digits can be used to determine the number of significant figures in a measurement. The number of significant digits in a measurement is equal to the number of significant figures.
Q: Why is it important to use significant digits when performing calculations involving measurements?
A: Using significant digits when performing calculations involving measurements helps to ensure that the results are accurate and reliable. It also helps to avoid errors and obtain precise results.
Q: Can I use significant digits to determine the precision of a measurement?
A: Yes, significant digits can be used to determine the precision of a measurement. The number of significant digits in a measurement indicates the level of precision.
Q: What is the relationship between significant digits and the uncertainty of a measurement?
A: The number of significant digits in a measurement is related to the uncertainty of the measurement. A measurement with more significant digits has a lower uncertainty.
Q: Can I use significant digits to determine the accuracy of a measurement?
A: Yes, significant digits can be used to determine the accuracy of a measurement. A measurement with more significant digits is more accurate.
Q: What is the difference between significant digits and the number of decimal places?
A: Significant digits refer to the digits in a measurement that are known to be reliable and certain, while the number of decimal places refers to the number of digits after the decimal point.
Q: Can I use significant digits to determine the number of decimal places in a measurement?
A: No, significant digits cannot be used to determine the number of decimal places in a measurement. The number of decimal places is determined by the number of digits after the decimal point.
Q: Why is it important to use significant digits when reporting the result of a calculation?
A: Using significant digits when reporting the result of a calculation helps to ensure that the results are accurate and reliable. It also helps