Final answer:
The number of significant figures in an instrument's panel is determined by the precision of the instrument. Leading zeros are not significant, and trailing zeros after a decimal point are significant. The correct reading of an instrument's display depends on the appropriate number of significant figures.
Step-by-step explanation:
When reading an instrument's panel, the number of digits that are significant is determined by the precision of the instrument. Significant figures are the digits that carry meaningful information in a measurement.
For example, in the measurement 0.0009, there are two significant figures (9 and 0) because leading zeros are not significant. In 15,450.0, there are six significant figures, including the trailing zero after the decimal point. In 6x10³, there is only one significant figure, which is the digit 6.
Based on the provided options:
- a) Read correctly - Choose this option when the instrument display is read accurately, considering the appropriate number of significant figures.
- b) Incorrect reading - Choose this option when the instrument display is read inaccurately, either including or excluding significant figures incorrectly.
- c) Not applicable - Choose this option if the question does not involve reading an instrument's panel.
- d) No information provided - Choose this option if there is no information given to determine the correct number of significant figures.