Overview of Metric System System of measure used by scientists around the world Uses prefixes and suffixes Suffixes Meter – tells us we are measuring distance, L,W,H Liter – tells us we are measuring liquid volume Gram – tells us we are measuring mass Prefixes Kilo = 1000 Hecto = 100 Deka = 10 Deci = 1/10 Centi = 1/ 100 Milli = 1 / 1000

Distance Measures length, width, and height Distance is measured in centimeters (cm) and millimeters (mm) Meter sticks and rulers are tools used for measuring distance 10 mm equal 1 cm. This allows to quickly change from mm to cm and back. To move from mm to cm, move decimal one place left. Example – 10.0 mm = 1.0 cm To move from cm to mm, move decimal one place right Example – 1.0 cm = 10.0 mm

Volume Volume measures how much space something occupies There are three types of volume: Volume of a liquid – (ml) Volume of solids – (cm cubed) Volume of a straight sided solids Volume of an irregularly shaped solids

Liquid Volume Measures how much space a liquid occupies Liquid volume is measured in milliliters (ml) Graduated cylinders and beakers are tools used to measure liquid volume Graduated cylinders are graduated or marked so that we can measure liquid volume The top of a liquid in a graduated cylinder will bend slightly. This is called a Meniscus Line. Always read a meniscus line from its lowest point

Volume of Straight Sided Solids Measures how much space a straight sided object takes up Equation to find volume: Length x Width x Height Volume of solid object is always cubed Volume of the cube below equals: 5 x 5 x 5 = 125 cm cubed

Volume of irregularly shaped solids Displacement Volume Found by submerging the object in water. The amount of water that is moved, or displaced, tells us the volume of the object A graduated cylinder or beaker is required Equation is: Final Water Level - Initial Water Level = Volume of object in ml Convert ml to cm cubed: 1 ml = 1 cm cubed

Mass Measures how much something weighs Mass is measured in grams Electronic scales are a tool used to measure mass

Metric Ladder kilo hecto deka m,g,l deci centi milli km kg kl hm hg hl dkm dkg dkl m g l dm dg dl cm cg cl mm mg ml 1000 100 10 1 .1 .01 .001 Prefixes can be used with all three measuring base words: meter (distance), liter (liquid volume), gram (mass). Base words are found in the middle of the metric ladder. Example: kilometer, hectoliter, centigram As you move left numbers get larger, as you move right numbers get smaller

Metric Conversions Use the metric ladder as your guide Find your starting point and your end point on the ladder Count the number of spaces to move from your starting point to your end point Decide if you moved right or left on the ladder Move the decimal the same number of spaces that you moved and in the direction that you moved Example to convert from millimeter to decimeter you would move the decimal point two places to the left 100 mm equals 1.00 dm kilo hecto deka m, g, l deci centi milli

Perimeter, Area, Volume P = S + S + S + S A = S x S (add all sides of object) P = 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 20 cm A = S x S (always squared) A = 5 x 5 = 25 cm squared V = Length X Width X Height (volume is always cubed for solids) V = 5 x 5 x 5 = 125 cm cubed