Source: Extra Practice

The mass of an object is measured as 5.00 g5.00\text{ g}. If this measurement is converted into milligrams, how should it be written to preserve the correct number of significant figures?

Options

Option A is correct

5.00×103 mg5.00 \times 10^3\text{ mg}

Option B

5000 mg5000\text{ mg}

Option C

5.0×103 mg5.0 \times 10^3\text{ mg}

Option D

5000.0 mg5000.0\text{ mg}

Explanation

The original measurement 5.00 g5.00\text{ g} has 3 significant figures. When converting units, the number of significant figures must remain 3. Writing 5000 mg5000\text{ mg} is ambiguous and generally implies 1 significant figure. Writing 5.00×103 mg5.00 \times 10^3\text{ mg} explicitly retains exactly 3 significant figures, maintaining the original precision.