Metric System

Metric System The metric system is used by scientists world wide to measure data such as: Time Distance or length Mass Volume

Time Time is the period between two events. Time is measured with several different units. Seconds (s) Minutes (min) Hours (hr) Days (d) Time is measured with a watch or clock.

Distance Distance = length between two objects or places. Base unit for distance is the meter (m). The tool used to measure distance is the meter stick.

Mass Mass = amt. of matter that an object has. Matter = amt. of atoms, which are the building blocks of everything. Base unit of mass = gram (g).

Balance The balance is the tool used in the lab to measure mass.

Volume Volume amt. of space an object takes up. The base unit for volume = liter (L). The tool used to find the volume of a liquid is called a graduated cylinder.

Graduated Cylinder The value read is at the bottom of the curve called the meniscus.

Volume of a Cube V = L X W X H

Irregular Solid Some solids like a rock don’t have measurable sides. To find the volume we use the displacement method.

Converting The meter, liter, and gram are base units. Base units can be changed into bigger and smaller units depending on what you are measuring. The bigger/smaller units of the metric system are kilo, hecto, deca, BASE UNIT, deci, centi, milli.