Measuring and Numbers in Chemistry

Accessing Prior Knowledge: Scientific Notation

Measuring and Numbers in Chemistry

Accessing Prior Knowledge: Scientific Notation

Learning Target 2.3.3: I can use scientific notation to express the correct number of significant figures.

Goal 2.3.3.a: I can express a number in standard form and in scientific notation.

Scientific notation is important in chemistry because of use of very large and very small numbers. And sometimes it is needed to correctly answer in the right significant figures for a calculation. An example: 657 / 6.4 = 102.85626 in the calculator; however, only 2 significant figures can be reported. 102 is 3 significant figures, 100 is 1 significant figure. and 100. is 3 significant figures. The correct way to report this answer is 1.0 x 102.

Take the pre-assessment on scientific notation to check your prior knowledge. Check your answers with the key. If you need additional review on scientific notation please read the digital text scientific notation^[1] and watch the video.