Science and Measurement Chapter 1.1 The Foundations of Physical Science

Measurement Measurement is to physical science what power tools are to a house builder, what clues are to a detective, what musical notes are to a musician. Scientists measure dimensions, distances, temperature, mass, force, electrical current--- the list could go on and on.

Measurement Measurement is the determination of the amount of something. A measurement has 2 parts A number value A unit which is a fixed amount of something Examples: meter, centimeter, feet, inches

English Measurement System The English System is used for everyday measurement in the United States Miles, yards, feet, inches, pounds, quarts, gallons are all units for the English System This is an old system of measurement

Metric Measurement System During the 1800’s, a new system was developed in France and quickly adopted by other European and South American countries In 1960, the metric system was revised and simplified. A new name was adopted-- International System on Units (SI) Today the US is the only industrialized nation that has not switched completely to SI

Scientists Use SI Almost all fields of science worldwide use SI units they are so much easier to work with. In the metric system, it is all based on factors of ten Factors of 10 are easier to remember and work with mathematically

The Meter Stick A meter stick is 1 meter long and is divided into millimeters and centimeters.

The Meter Stick Each centimeter is divided into ten smaller units, called millimeters.