General Chemistry

Lecture 4

Scientific Notation

Henry R. Kang (1/2010)

 Contents
Scientific Notation
Rules of scientific notation
Arithmetic operations
Significant Figures
Rules of significant numbers
Dimensional Analysis
Problem Solving
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
Scientific Notation

Henry R. Kang (1/2010)

 Scientific Notation
Scientific notation is designed to deal with very large
and very small numbers.
The number of gold atoms in 197.0 g of pure gold nugget.
602,200,000,000,000,000,000,000 = 6.0221023
The mass of a single gold atom in grams
0.000,000,000,000,000,000,000,327 = 3.2710-22
General expression
N 10n
N represents a number, its absolute value is between 1 and
10.
1 |N| < 10
The exponent n is a positive or negative integer.
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
 Rules of Scientific Notation
Decimal point placement
Value >> 1
Move decimal to left after the first non-zero integer.
The exponent is positive.
The value of the exponent is equal to the number of places that the
decimal point has moved to left.
Example:
568.762 5.68762102
Value << 1
Move decimal to right after the first non-zero integer.
The exponent is negative.
The value of the exponent is equal to the number of places that the
decimal point has moved to right.
Example:
0.0000007548 7.54810-7
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
 Arithmetic Operations of
Scientific Notation - Addition
Example: 4.31104 + 3.9103
Write each quantity with the same
exponent n
4.31104 + 0.39104
Combine N1 and N2
4.70104
The exponent, n, remains the same

Henry R. Kang (1/2010)

 Arithmetic Operations of
Scientific Notation - Subtraction
Example: 4.3106 3.96107
Write each quantity with the same
exponent n
0.43107 3.96107
Combine N1 and N2
-3.53107
The exponent, n, remains the same

Henry R. Kang (1/2010)

 Arithmetic Operations of
Scientific Notation - Multiplication
Multiplication = (N1N2) 10 (n1+n2)
Multiply N1 and N2
Add exponents n1 and n2
Adjust the resulting N, if N>10
Example: (4.2 10-7) (7.5 103)
(4.2 7.5) (10-7+3) = 31.5 10-4
= 3.15 10-3
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
 Arithmetic Operations of
Scientific Notation - Division
Division = (N1/N2) 10 (n1n2)
Divide N1 and N2
Subtract exponent n2 from n1
Adjust the resulting N, if N<1
Example: (3.5 104) (5.0 109)
(3.5 5.0) 1049 = 0.70 10-5
= 7.0 10-6
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
Significant Figures

Henry R. Kang (1/2010)

 Significant Figures
Significant figures are the meaningful digits in a
measured or calculated quantity.
The number of significant figures that a measuring
device can provide is depended on the resolution
(division, mark, scale, etc.) of the device.
Top-loading balance can measure mass to 1/10, 1/100, or
1/1000 of a gram, depending on the model & manufacturer.
Analytical balance can read to 1/10000 of a gram.
Buret can measure volume to 1/100 of a mL.
The last digit is understood to be uncertain, which is
estimated.
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
 Rules of Determining Significant Figures
Any digit that is not zero is significant
4.2183 m : 5 significant figures
Zeros between nonzero digits are significant
80.0054 lb : 6 significant figures
Zeros to the left of the first nonzero digit are not significant
0.0000349 g : 3 significant figures
For numbers contain decimal point; all the trailing zeros count
as significant figures
3.400 cm : 4 significant figures
0.0200500 kg : 6 significant figures
For numbers do not contain decimal point; the trailing zeros
may or may not be significant
6800 mi : 4, 3, or 2 significant figures
Use scientific notation to avoid this ambiguity.
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
 Examples of Significant Figures
Determine the number of significant figures in the
following measurements:
1. 328 cm Answer: 3
2. 6.01 g Answer : 3
3. 0.805 m Answer : 3
4. 0.043 kg Answer : 2
5. 1.5101022 atoms Answer : 4
6. 5000 mL Answer : 1, 2, 3, or 4
7. 5.0103 mL Answer : 2
8. 5.000103 mL Answer : 4
9. 0.030200 m3 Ans: 5
10. 6.40104 molecules Ans: 3
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
 Rules of Significant Figures: Addition
In addition and subtraction, the answer cannot
have more digits to the right of the decimal
point then either of the original numbers.

89.453
+ 2.5 one significant figure after decimal point
91.953 round off to 92.0

3.72 two significant figures after decimal point

- 2.9173
0.8027 round off to 0.80

Henry R. Kang (1/2010)

Rules of Significant Figures: Multiplication
In multiplication and division, the number of
significant figures in the final product or
quotient is determined by the original number
that has the smallest number of significant
figures (s.f.).

4.51 3.6666 = 16.536366 = 16.5

3 s.f. 5 s.f. Round to 3 s.f.

6.8 / 112.04 = 0.0606926 = 0.061

2 s.f. 5 s.f. Round to 2 s.f.
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
Rules of Significant Figures: Exact Number
Exact numbers are a number obtained from definition or by
counting numbers of objects.
Examples: 12 inches to a foot (definition), 8 coins in a bottle (counting), 5
measurements of the mass of a penny coin (counting).
Exact numbers are considered to have an infinite significant
figures.
This means that the exact number does not involve in determining the
resulting significant figures; other numbers determine the final number
of significant figures.
Example: The average of three measured lengths; 6.64, 6.68 and 6.70?
6.64 + 6.68 + 6.70 = 6.67333 = 6.67 ( 7)
3
3 is an exact number, which does not involve in determining the significant
figures.

Henry R. Kang (1/2010)

 Examples of Significant Figures
Carry out the following arithmetic operations to the correct
number of significant figures:
1. 2.568 5.8 / 4.186
In one step:
2.568 5.8 / 4.186 = 3.558146202 round off to 3.6
In two steps:
14.8944 / 4.186 = 15 / 4.186 = 3.583373149 round off to 3.6
1. 5.41 0.398 = 5.012 round off to 5.01
2. 3.38 3.01 = 0.37
Note that the result has one less significant figure.
1. 4.18 58.16 (3.38 3.01)
Underline the least significant digits:
4.18 58.16 (3.38 3.01) = 4.18 58.16 0.37
= 4.18 21.5192 = -17.3392 round off to -17
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
 Examples (Continued)
Carry out the following arithmetic operations to the correct
number of significant figures:
1. 254 g + 0.1983 g = 254.1983 g round to 254 g
Adding a large number and a small number, which is below the
uncertainty of the large number, will not change the magnitude of the
large number.
1. 66.59 L 3.113 L = 63.477 L round to 63.48 L
2. 8.16 m 5.1355 = 41.90568 m round off to 41.9 m
3. 0.0154 kg 88.3 mL = 0.000174405436 kg/mL
round to 0.000174 kg/ml ( or 1.74 10-4 kg/mL)
4. 2.64103 cm + 3.27102 cm = 2.64103 cm + 0.327103 cm
= 2.967103 cm round to 2.97103 cm
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
Dimensional
Analysis

Henry R. Kang (1/2010)

 Dimensional Analysis
(Factor-Label Method)
Dimensional analysis is a technique for converting a
quantity from one unit to another.
A computational method in which units are included with
numbers.
Conversion factors are used such that source units will be
cancelled to obtain destination unit.
General relationship for quantity
(Source quantity) (Conversion factor)
= Destination quantity
General relationship for units
(Source unit) (Conversion factor) = Destination unit
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
 Problem Solving by Dimensional Analysis
All units are included in calculation.
Decide which equality is needed.
Arrange the equality into a correct conversion factor for
canceling units.
The end result should contain the desired units only.
Example: How many mL are in 0.580 L?
Equality: 1 L = 1000 mL
Conversion factor: (1000 mL) / (1 L)
There are two ways to arrange the conversion ratio; the correct
conversion factor will give the correct unit for the destination quality.

1000 mL 1L
0.580 L 0.580 L 1000 mL
1L
= 580. mL = 0.000580 L2/mL
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
 Example 1 of Dimensional Analysis
A sample of nitrogen gas in a glass bulb weighs
185 mg. What is this mass in SI base unit of
mass (kg)?
Answer:
Equalities: Conversion factors:
1 g = 1000 mg (1 g) / (1000 mg)
1 kg = 1000 g (1 kg) / (1000 g)
185 mg (1 g / 1000 mg) (1 kg / 1000 g)
= 1.8510-4 kg

Henry R. Kang (1/2010)

 Example 2 of Dimensional Analysis
Convert the speed of sound from 767
miles/hour to meters/second.
Equalities: Conversion factors:
1 mi = 1609 m (1609 m) / (1 mi)
1 hour = 60 min (1 hour) / (60 min)
1 min = 60 s (1 min) / (60 s)
1609 m 1 min 1
767 mi/hour
1 mi 60 s hour
60
min
= 343 m/s
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
 Example 3 of Dimensional Analysis
The oxygen molecule consists of two oxygen
atoms (O2) a distance of 121 pm apart. How
many millimeters is this distance?
Answer:
Equalities: Conversion factors:
1 pm = 10-12 m (10-12 m) / (1 pm)
1 m = 1000 mm (1000 mm) / (1 m)
121 pm (10-12 m / 1 pm) (1000 mm / 1 m)
= 1.2110-7 mm

Henry R. Kang (1/2010)

 Example 4 of Dimensional Analysis
The worlds oceans contain approximately 1.351021 L
of water. What is this volume in km3?
Answer:
Equalities: Conversion factors:
1 km = 1000 m (1 km) / (1000 m)
1 m = 100 cm (1 m) / (100 cm)
1 cm3 = 1 mL (1 cm3) / (1 mL)
1 L = 1000 mL (1000 mL) / (1 L)
1.351021 L (1000 mL / 1 L) (1 cm3 / 1 mL)
(1 m / 100 cm)3 (1 km / 1000 m)3
= 1.351024 cm3 (1 m3 / 106 cm3) (1 km3 /109 m3)
= 1.351018 m3 (1 km3 /109 m3)
= 1.35109 km3 Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
 Problem Solving
Read the question carefully
Understand the information given
Know what you are asked to solve?
Find the appropriate equation
Relate the given information and the unknown
Use dimensional analysis
Check your answer
Sign (+ or -), units, and significant figures
Judge whether the answer is reasonable
Make a ball-park estimate
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
 Example 1 of Problem Solving
The average daily intake of glucose (a form
of sugar) of a person is 1.30 ounce (oz).
What is this mass in milligram (mg)?
(16 oz = 1 lb and 1 lb = 453.6 g)
Answer:
This is a unit conversion problem by
converting
Oz lb g mg
1.30 oz (1 lb / 16 oz) (453.6 g / 1 lb)
(1000 mg / 1 g) = 3.69 104 mg
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
 Example 2 of Problem Solving
An average adult has 5.2 L of blood. What
is the volume of blood in pints (pt)?
1 L = 1.06 qt and 1 qt = 2 pt
Answer:
This is a unit conversion problem by
converting
L quart pint
5.2 L (1.06 qt / 1 L) (2 pt / 1 qt)
= 11 pt
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)
 Example 3 of Problem Solving
The density of silver is 10.5 g/cm 3. Convert the
density to unit of kg/m3.
Answer:
This is a unit conversion problem by converting
g kg (1 kg = 1000 g)
cm3 m3 (1 m = 100 cm)
10.5 g/cm3 (1 kg / 1000 g) (100 cm / 1 m)3
= 10500 kg/m3
= 1.05104 kg/m3
Henry R. Kang (1/2010)