Final Answer:
Determining the number of significant figures in a measurement involves identifying the certain digits plus one uncertain or estimated digit. Without the specific value provided for the mass of the beaker with dry NaCl, it's challenging to offer an exact count of significant figures.
Step-by-step explanation:
In this scenario, the mass measurement's significance depends on the precision of the measuring instrument and the accuracy of the measurement itself. For instance, if the mass is recorded as "15.2 grams," there are three significant figures because the digits 1, 5, and 2 are certain, and the decimal point suggests precision. However, without the actual value, I can't precisely determine the significant figures in the mass measurement.
To accurately determine the significant figures, the mass of the beaker with dry NaCl needs to be provided. Once the exact measurement is available, the number of significant figures can be counted. It's essential to identify all certain digits, including zeros between non-zero numbers (such as 1004), which are significant, and trailing zeros after a decimal point (e.g., 0.030), which are also significant. Understanding the precision of the measurement is crucial in determining the number of significant figures.