A balance has an accuracy of grams. A beaker weighed 15 grams when
weighed on this balance. Using the correct number of significant figures, the weight
of the beaker should be recorded as
15.0 g
15.0000 g
15.000 g
15.00 g
15 g

The weight of the beaker should be recorded as 15.00 g. This is because the balance has an accuracy of grams, which indicates that the last two digits after the decimal point are significant, contributing to the precision of the measurement.

In scientific reporting, significant figures are key in conveying the certainty of a measurement. Using 15.00 g reflects that the weight is known to two decimal places, affirming both its precision and the instrument’s limits. This allows for clearer communication in experiments and data analysis.