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Units, Scientific Notation, and Significant Figures
Introduction and Summary
Before moving into the study of any science, it is important to understand the
basis of scientific study: recording and presenting scientific data. In order
for one scientist to understand the results of a different scientist's
experiments, there must be a standardized system through which the data
can be shared and understood.
This SparkNote will discuss a number of important concepts associated with
recording scientific data and presenting experimental results. Specifically,
this SparkNote will discuss the concepts of units, significant figures,
and scientific notation. Units allow scientists to standardize measurements
of scientific data, while the rules for expressing significant figures ensure
that data is presented honestly and accurately. Scientific notation provides a
more convenient method of writing otherwise cumbersome large and small numbers.
We will also discuss the more abstract principles of accuracy and
precision. Accuracy describes the extent to which an experimental result
is correct. Precision refers to the extent to which an experiment can be
repeated with the same result. The two concepts are distinctly different, since
measurements can be very precise, but not accurate, or accurate but not precise.
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