Significant Figures

Significant figures are essential to science because they make the answer more precise when the tools require us to use estimation. Significant figures are the digits that contribute to the value of a number. Throughout the lab we were given instructions to measure different objects using different tools with the objective of figuring out how the amount significant figures affect the accuracy of the measurement. Firstly, it is important to know and understand significant figures because they make the answer more precise. I saw how important it was when we measured a hole puncher on the Scout and the VWK balance. The scout balance said the hole puncher weighed 49.19 grams and the VWK said it just weighed 49.This shows that significant figures
Having four significant figures is more accurate on the weight of the hole puncher because that means that three of the digits are definite while one is an estimate and when it is two, you do not know if it is just 49 or if it is 49.1. Secondly, the number of significant figures is affected by the tool used to take a measurement because they have a degree of uncertainty which required us to use estimation. This was seen when we measured a paper clip using a ruler using the units, centimeters which said the paper clip was around 4.5 but it was not exactly at 4.5 so we had to use estimation. This shows that the tools have a degree of uncertainty because it did not tell us the exact measurement like the balance did so I had to estimate. In my estimation, I got 4.7 but it could be 4.6 and that is what affects the significant figures. To conclude, significant figures are vital in science because they give a more accurate answer when the tools require us to use estimation. Significant figures are used in daily life such as when you have to weigh yourself when you are at the gym or when you are pumping gas and you want to fill your car at the exact amount. When you understand