Chemistry 8-27-13 Significant Figures, Pt. 1

CHEMISTRY: So you’ve been using been using significant figures all along when you were measuring in the lab! Now the other half – using them in calculations will be no big deal at all! Take a stab at it tonight and we’ll finish up tomorrow.

Don’t forget to be studying for the SI quiz!!

CHEMISTRY 8-27-13 Significant Figures, Pt. 1 from Tammy Skinner on Vimeo.


flickr photo by areta ekarafi

Hon Chemistry 8-27-13 Significant Figures & Intro to Accuracy and Precision

HON CHEMISTRY – So which is more important, accuracy or precision? Good question! Did you find the formula for percent error yet? I’ll bet it’s one that you’ve used before. Let’s talk more about error in the lab tomorrow!

Here’s our discussion of significant figure. Don’t lose this one – you’ll use it all year!!

HON CHEMISTRY 8-27-13 Significant Figures from Tammy Skinner on Vimeo.

flickr photo by jambe

Physics 8-13-13 Measuring in Physics, continued…

PHYSICS: Did you remember sig figs? All this SI and calculations stuff will come back to you before you know it. Holler if we need to practice at a help session.

When you multiply or divide, the number in the problem with the fewest sig figs determines the number of sig figs in the answer. When you add/subtract, the number in the problem with the lowest decimal value determines the place of the last sig fig in the answer. And remember, you never go by counting numbers or conversion factors.Don’t forget to show all your work!

Now, let’s see you put it all together in the lab tomorrow! 🙂

UPDATE – The textbooks website was down last time I checked, so I’ll move the homework to Thursday.

PHYSICS 8-13-13 Measurements in Physics, Pt. 2 from Tammy Skinner on Vimeo.

flickr photo by jambe

Chemistry 8-31-11 Significant Figures

CHEMISTRY – Great job on using sig figs today! Here’s the lecture from Wednesday on identifying significant figures and using them in calculations. Don’t forget to keep practicing! And speaking of practice….Help Session, Friday morning at 7:15. 🙂


flickr photo by designwallah

Chemistry 8-30-11 Accuracy & Precision

CHEMISTRY – New – with sound!!

Hey guys, here’s the lecture from Tuesday on accuracy, precision and percent error. Keep that formula for percent error handy, you’ll be using it all year! We’ll finish discussing significant figures tomorrow. You’ve made a great start on learning to measure with sig figs, so now let’s crank it up a notch and begin to calculate with them. Don’t panic about the homework, I’ll show you tomorrow! (Just make sure you try it!!)



flickr photo by – POD –

Hon Chemistry 8-30-11 Significant Figures

HON CHEMISTRY – Wow! Learned some Greek today, huh? Sig figs may seem a little confusing to begin with, but they are extremely important to learn for the rest of the year. Here’s the lecture from Tuesday on using sig figs in measuring and calculations. Do you need some practice? And how are you doing on memorizing the SI prefixes and units? Let’s put it all to good use tomorrow! 🙂


cartoon courtesy of nick d kim, nearing-zero.net

Hon Chemistry 8-29-11 Accuracy, Precision, & Intro to Significant Figures

HON CHEMISTRY – So which is more important, accuracy or precision? Good question! Here’s the lecture from Monday on just that (the upload acted a little hinky – holler if it won’t open). Don’t lose that percent error formula – you’ll use it all year!

And then, drum roll please, just what you’ve been waiting for – your first intro into significant figures! Go on, be happy!!


flickr photo by jambe

Physics 8-16-11 Accuracy & Precision, continued…

PHYSICS: Good job in lab on Tuesday! Did you remember sig figs? We’re going fast, I know, but you can do it! All this SI and calculations stuff will come back to you before you know it. Don’t forget to show all your work. Here’s the lecture on accuracy & precision.

flickr photo by jambe

Physics 8-15-11 Using Measurements in Physics

PHYSICS – Hey guys, here’s an overview we did on the SI system. (You might want to pause and let it load before you play it.) You remembered a lot! Were you surprised at yourself? The hardest part, I think, will be getting back in the habit of showing all your work, using units, sig figs, etc. Hope the review over the last couple of days has helped! We’ll finish reviewing sig figs tomorrow.

flickr photo by trisheroverton