Science Notes Metric System The standard system of scientific measurement is called the metric system, or International System of Units (SI). Scientists use metric units to measure length, volume, mass, weight, density, and temperature. *Remember: “kilo”: 1000 1 meter= 100 centimeters “centi”: 1/100 1 meter= 1000 millimeters “milli”: 1/1000 1000 meters= 1 kilometer

Length The meter is the basic unit of length in the metric system. It is slightly larger than a yard. To measure objects smaller than a meter, scientists use the centimeter, and for even smaller objects the millimeter is used. For very large objects, such as the length of a river, the kilometer is used. To measure long distances in space the light-year is used. A light year is the distance light travels in one year. Examples: Your height would be measured in meters A pencil would be measured in centimeters A straight pin would be measured in millimeters Distance from Dallas to Austin would be measured in kilometers

Volume Volume is the amount of space an object takes up. The basic unit of volume is the liter. For objects smaller than a liter, the milliliter is used. A liter is slightly larger than a quart. The metric unit used to measure the volume of solids is called the cubic centimeter (cm3). A cubic centimeter is equal to the volume of a cube that measures 1 cm by 1 cm by 1 cm. 1 cubic centimeter= 1 milliliter 1 liter = 1000 milliliters or 1000 cubic centimeters *Volume = length X width X height

Mass Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. The basic unit of mass in the metric system is the gram (g). The kilogram is used for large objects and the gram (g) is used for small objects, such as a dime. Very small objects are measured with the milligram, such as a stamp. 1 kilogram = 1000 grams 1 gram= 1000 milligrams 1000 kilograms= 1 metric ton

Weight Weight is a measure of the attraction between two objects due to gravity. Gravity is the force of attraction. The basic unit of weight in the metric system is the Newton (N). Named after Isaac Newton, who discovered gravity. 1 kilogram= 9.8 Newtons

Density Density is the relationship between mass and volume. An objects density is the mass of that object divided by its volume. D=M/V Example: 10g 1g 10 ml = ml *The density of water is 1g/ml. Objects that float on water must have a density of less than 1g/ml. Objects that sink will be heavier than 1 g/ml. Example: 30g 3g 10ml = ml

Temperature Temperature is measured in the metric system on the Celsius scale. Scale ranges from 0 to 100 degrees. Water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees. Normal human body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius.

Dimensional Analysis D.A. is the conversion from one unit to another, such as grams to kilograms. A conversion factor is a fraction that always equals 1. Example: 1000 grams 1 kilogram 1 kilogram = 1 or 1000 grams = 1

Measurement Tools Basic laboratory tools include the metric ruler (length), triple beam balance (mass), graduated cylinder (volume), and Celsius thermometer (temperature). **Your test will be the application and processing of the metric system, scientific notation, metric conversions, and reasonableness of units.