Aclassmate finds that it takes 1.090 seconds for a tossed ball to touch the ground. how many significant figures are in this measurement?

Answer : The measurement has 4 number of significant figures.

Explanation :

Significant figures : The figures in a number which express the value -the magnitude of a quantity to a specific degree of accuracy is known as significant digits.

Rules for significant figures:

Digits from 1 to 9 are always significant and have infinite number of significant figures.All non-zero numbers are always significant. For example: 654, 6.54 and 65.4 all have three significant figures.All zero’s between integers are always significant. For example: 5005, 5.005 and 50.05 all have four significant figures.All zero’s preceding the first integers are never significant. For example: 0.0078 has two significant figures.All zero’s after the decimal point are always significant. For example: 4.500, 45.00 and 450.0 all have four significant figures.All zeroes used solely for spacing the decimal point are not significant. For example : 8000 has one significant figure.

As we are given the measurement 1.090 seconds.

According to rule, all zero’s between integers and zero’s after the decimal point are always significant.

So, the measurement has 4 number of significant figures.