A student is confused about the role of different kinds of zeros when counting…
PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Measurements and their errors · Measurements and their errors
Problem
A student is confused about the role of different kinds of zeros when counting significant figures.
(i) Distinguish between leading zeros and captive (embedded) zeros, giving two numerical examples of each type and stating their significant figures.
(ii) Explain why the number 2500 m does not unambiguously communicate the same precision as 2500.0 m, even though their face values appear similar.
(iii) Describe how rewriting 2500 m as 2.5×103m removes this ambiguity and clearly conveys the intended significant figures.