To determine the number of significant digits in the measurement 10.01 kg, we follow these steps:
1. Identify all the digits in the number:
- The number given is 10.01.
2. Determine which of these digits are significant:
- All non-zero digits are always significant.
- Any zeros between significant digits are also significant.
- Leading zeros (zeros to the left of the first non-zero digit) are not significant.
- Trailing zeros (zeros to the right of the last non-zero digit) in a decimal number are significant.
3. Apply the rules to 10.01:
- The digits are: 1, 0, 0, 1.
- The '1' is a non-zero digit and significant.
- The '0' between the '1's is significant because it's between significant digits.
- The '0' after the decimal point is significant because it's in a decimal number.
- The '1' is a significant non-zero digit.
Counting these, we have:
- 1
- 0
- 0
- 1
So, 10.01 kg has 4 significant digits.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
a) 4
