Significant figures questions...

[mano91]

Mao, I have some more questions, this time related to physics.

how many marks can we lose if we forget to put the correct amount of significant figures?

also, if its 2 sig figs and my answer is 4985498 N   is it 5.0x10^6 N?

thank you very much.

[/0]

I heard from my teacher that the examiners are quite relaxed about sig figs in physics. I think putting it to 1 or 2 decimal places is usually safe.

[TrueTears]

Yea, same here, physics sig figs are much less strict than chem heh

[Gloamglozer]

I heard from my teacher that the examiners are quite relaxed about sig figs in physics. I think putting it to 1 or 2 decimal places is usually safe.

I'll back that.  In physics, so long as you don't be silly and go over the top, you'll be fine.  The only exception is if they tell you to give your answer in a specific number of significant figures, which I'll doubt they do.