Intro to the Metric System and Scientific Method Medgar Evers College Lab #1 Dr. Santos

Units of measurement Scientists around the world use the metric system or International System of units to accurately measure volume, length, temperature, and mass.

Basic reference units Mass = gram Temperature = degree Celsius Volume = liter Length= meter *A prefix before the unit can modify the value of the unit!

Prefixes to know! Kilo M one thousand 103 Deci d one tenth 10-1 Centi c one hundredth 10-2 Milli m one thousandth 10-3 Micro µ one millionth 10-6

Converting Know the following 1 kilogram = 1000 grams 1 gram = 1000 milligrams 1 gram = 100 centigrams 1 centigram = 10 milligrams 1 milligram = 1000 micrograms

Using the factor label method Convert 2 kilograms to grams Convert 35 grams to kilograms Convert 2500 micrograms to milligrams

2kg x 1000g/1kg = 2,000 g

AIM Exercise 1; determine the length, mass, volume, and temperature of various objects! Length- ruler Mass- balance Volume- graduated cylinder (water displacement method) Temperature- thermometer

temperature K= X + 273

The Scientific method Process of Inquiry used by scientists and students to find the answer to questions or scientific problems! Steps! 1- observation 2- state a questions based on observations 3- state a hypothesis 4- state a prediction using “If …. Then….” format. 5- conduct an experiment 6- analyze results 7- draw a conclusion 8- repeat the experiment

Hypothesis- prediction regarding the outcome of the experiment Hypothesis- prediction regarding the outcome of the experiment. The hypothesis should always be in a declarative form not a question!

experimentation 3 variables Independent Dependent Controlled

Sample size A sample size should be as large as possible to avoid a bias outcome and so that the results are statistically valid.

Result organization Results/data should be organized in tables, charts or histograms.