Chapter 1, Problem 1.34P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Volume of cubic crystal that has $\text{133}\text{pm}$ as edge length has to be calculated to correct number of significant figures.

Concept Introduction:

Precision of the quantities that are measured use the significant figures to express the result.  There are six rules for determining the number of significant figures.  They are given as follows.

• Nonzero digits and the zeros that are present between nonzero digits are significant.
• Zeros that are used merely to position the decimal are not significant.
• If zeros are present in the right end of the decimal point, then the zeros are significant.
• If zeros are present in the result are not in right of the decimal point, then the zeros may or may not be significant.
• If the zeros disappear when scientific notation is used means then those zeros are not significant.
• Exact numbers have no limit to their precision and they do not obey the rules given for significant figures.

Answer for a calculation should be always expressed in least significant figures in case of multiplication and division.

In case of addition and subtraction, the answer should have least significant figures after the decimal point.