CHEM 101 Worksheet, Chapter 1: ANSWERS

1. 25.0 mL = _______ L ? E
A. 0.25 L B. 2.5x10 L
–3
C. 2.5x10–2 L D. 0.250 L E. 2.50x10–2 L
1 mL = 0.001L so 25.0 mL = 25.0x0.001 = 0.0250 L or 2.50x10 L (=0.0250L). Notice that the 0.001
–2

L (or 1000 mL) is a fixed number (not counted in the significant figures), therefore the answer must
have three significant figures. We can also do dimensional analysis: 25.0 mLx(1 L/1000 mL) = 0.0250
L We can also say: 1/1000, so move the decimal three places to the left! A correct answer would also
have been 0.0250 L (note the significant last zero!), but this was not one of the choices given.

2. 0.10 cm = ________ m? D
A. 10 m B. 1.0x10–2m C. 0.010 m D. 1.0x10–3 m E. 0.001 m

1 cm = 0.01 m so 0.10 cm = 0.10x0.01 = 0.0010 m two sign. figs!

3. 2.5 kg = _______ g? B
A. 25,000 g B. 2.5x103 g C. 2.5x10–3 g D. 2.500 g E. 2500g

1 kg = 1000 g, so 2.5 kg = 2.5x1000 = 2.5x103 g. Note the 2 sign. figs, therefore answer E (2500g) is
incorrect, and answer D (2.500 g) is incorrect for two reasons, too may sig. figs and in the English
notation the . is the decimal place.

4. 2.4 nm = _______cm ? C
A. 2.4x10 cm
7
B. 2.4x10 cmC. 2.4x10–7 cm
–9
D. 2.4x10–11cm E. 2.4x10–5 cm

1 nm = 10–9 m, 1 m = 102 cm, so 1 nm = 10–9x102 = 10–7 cm, then 2.4 nm – 2.4x10–7 cm.
With dimensional analysis: 2.4 nm x (1 m/109nm)x(1 cm/10–2m) = 2.4x10–7 cm

5. 1.657 g + 0.25 g = ? B
A. 1.90 g B. 1.91 g C. 1.907 g D. 1.9 g E. 2 g.
The rule for addition and subtraction: lowest number of digit following the decimal place, so:
1.657
0.25 +
1.907 and with two digits after the decimal the correct answer is 1.91 rounded up.

6. 2.50 dL – 8.0 mL = ? A
A. 242 mL B. 2.4 dL C. 17.0 mL D. 1.7x10–1 dL E. 242.0 mL

1 dL = 0.1L = 100 mL, so 2.50 dL = 250. mL, and the subtraction is:
250. mL
8.0 mL –
242. mL (not 242.0 mL)

7. 8.30x17.45 = ? E
A. 144.835 B. 1.448x102 C. 1.4x102 D. 1.44x102 E. 1.45x102

The rule for multiplication and division: the lowest number of sign. figs, so 8.30x17.45, the product
will have 3 sign. figs i.e., 144.835 becomes 145 or 1.45x102 (rounded up, so not 1.44x102).
8. 234.5x104/0.00036 = ? D
A. 6.514x109 B. 8.44x106 C. 6.514 D. 6.5x109 E. 6.51x10–7
Zeros on the left of the first number do not count, so 0.00036 has two sign. figs (but 0.0003600 would
have four sign. figs!). Therefore 234.5x104/0/00036 = 6.5x109, only two sign. figs. When working in
scientific notation: 2.345x106/3.6x10–4 = 6.5x109.

9. 7.0x10–3 – 8.0x10–4 = ? C
A. 0.00620 B. 62.x10–4 C. 6.2x10–3 0.006 E. –0.010

You cannot subtract apples from oranges, so make the powers of 10 the same: 7.0x10–3 = 70.x10–4 –
8.0x10–4 = 62.x10–4. In scientific notation there must be only one real digit before the decimal (not a
zero), therefore 6.2x10–3.

10. The density of iron (Fe) metal is 7.9 g/mL. What is the volume of 356. g of iron? B
A 0.02219 mL B 45. mL C. 2.2x10–2 mL D. 45.06 mL E. 2.8x103 mL

d = m/V so V = m/d V = 356/7.9 = 45. mL (two sign. figs).

11. A piece of a silvery metal weighing 194.3 g is placed in a graduated cylinder containing 242.0 mL water.
After putting in the metal, the volume in the cylinder rises to 260.5 mL. Calculate the density of the metal (show
your work and give your answer with the correct sign. figs and units!)

When the piece of metal is put in the cylinder under water, the level rises from 242.0 to 260.5, so the
difference 260.5 – 242.0 = 18.5 mL. This is the volume of the metal, with three sign. figs.
V = 18.5 mL m = 194.3 g
d = m/V = 194.3/18.5 d = 10.5 g/mL
Three sign. figs. in the answer, not 4 as in 10.50! Your answer also must include the units, in this case
g/mL