Chemistry Workbook For Dummies
Chapter One
Noting Numbers Scientifically
In This Chapter
* Crunching numbers in scientific and exponential notation
* Telling the difference between accuracy and precision
* Doing math with significant figures
Chemistry is a science. This means that like any other kind of scientist, a chemist tests
hypotheses by doing experiments. Better tests require more reliable measurements,
and better measurements are those that have more accuracy and precision. This explains
why chemists get so giggly and twitchy about high-tech instruments; those instruments
make better measurements. How do chemists report their precious measurements? What's
the difference between accuracy and precision in those measurements? How do chemists
do math with measurements? These questions may not keep you awake at night, but knowing
the answers to them will keep you from making embarrassing, rookie errors in chemistry.
So we address them in this chapter.
Using Exponential and ... read full excerpt from Chemistry Workbook For Dummies ebook
