Final answer:
The mass range for measurement extends from the empty container to the container fully loaded with its contents, critical for creating solutions with correct concentrations and combining masses with precision.
Step-by-step explanation:
The range of use for a measurement should extend from the mass of the measure when empty to the mass of the measure plus its contents at full capacity. During an experiment, for instance, the appropriate mass of solute is first weighed out and then added to a volumetric flask containing distilled water. This step is crucial in creating a solution with the correct concentration. After this, the flask is usually filled to its calibration mark with more distilled water.
For example, if a student is tasked with making a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution with a specific molarity, they would start by accurately measuring the mass of NaOH pellets before dissolving them in a precise volume of water, such as 200 cm³. If either the mass of NaOH or the volume of water is not measured correctly, the resulting solution will not have the intended concentration.
Similarly, when computing the total mass of items with different mass measurements, like combining various weights of potatoes with different scale precision, the final mass must be reported with the appropriate number of significant figures, which is dictated by the least precise measurement involved.