A student makes measurements from which she calculated the speed of sound as 321 ms-1 . She estimates that the result is accurate to +3% or -3% . Which of the following give results expressed to the appropriate number of significant figures?

Correct answer: A. 327 ms-1

  • A. 327 ms-1
  • B. 328 ms-1
  • C. 330 ms-1
  • D. 300 ms-1

Explanation

a) 327 m/s:This option provides a result with three significant figures. However, the given measurement is accurate to +3% or -3%, which means the uncertainty in the measurement is ±3%. Therefore, the appropriate number of significant figures should consider the uncertainty, and in this case, it should be expressed as 321 ± 3 m/s. Rounded to three significant figures with the appropriate uncertainty, it would be written as 321 ± 3 m/s.

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