Metric Measurement Notes Quantitative Observations

SI System International- metric measurement system used by scientists around the world Use metric measurement Don’t use metric measuremet: USA, Liberia, Burma (use metrics only partially)

LENGTH Length is defined as the distance between two points Metric unit of length is the meter Symbol- m The tool used to measure length is the ruler or meterstick

VOLUME Volume is defined as the amount of space an object takes up Metric unit of volume is the Liter Symbol- L Tools used to measure volume: graduated cyclinder, graduated beaker, syringe

VOLUME OF A SOLID Regular solid volume: – the formula L x W x H= volume of a solid – *1 cubic centimeter can hold 1 milliliter of water

Volume of an irregularly shaped object The method is called Displacement Subtract the two measurements to determine volume of the object Always measure at the bottom of the Bubble, this is called the meniscus

MASS Mass is defined as the amount of matter in an object Metric unit of mass is the gram Symbol – g The tool used to measure mass is the Triple beam balance or electronic scale

TEMPERATURE Metric unit of temperature is Celsius The tool used to measure temperature is the thermometer Water freezes at 0 degrees C Water boils at 100 degrees C

Common Prefixes PrefixSymbolMeaning KiloK1,000 times the base unit Centic0.01 (one hundreth) Millim0.001 (one thousandth) Prefix to measure tiny objects SymbolMeaning microu (one millionth) nanonm (one billionth) Prefix to measure big objects SymbolMeaning megaM1,000,000 times gigaG1,000,000,000 times

COMMON CONVERSIONS 1km= 1,000m 1m =100cm 1m=1,000mm 1cm= 10mm 1L= 1,000mL 1kg= 1,000g How many mm in a cm?

Check out one of these cool LINKS on the science class website! Metric Scale A metric measurement game