1. The Metric System

2. The Metric System
The metric system (International System of Units) or SI System, is a universal system of measurement used by scientists all over the world.
Based on multiples of 10
Base Unit = 1
Length = meter (1.0 m)
Mass = gram (1.0 g)
Volume = liter (1.0 L)

3. Prefixes and Suffixes
Many words can be broken down into smaller parts that can help you to better understand the meaning of the word.
Prefixes – terms attached to the beginning of a word.
Preheat
Pre means before
To heat the oven before you cook something.
Suffixes – terms attached to the end of a word.
Laryngitis
itis means inflammation
A swelling or inflammation of the larynx or vocal cords.

4. Prefixes of the Metric System
Unit
Fraction
Decimal
Kilo
One Thousand
1000
Deci
One Tenth
1/10
.10
Centi
One Hundredth
1/100
.01
Milli
One Thousandth
1/1000
.001

5. Length Unit Abbreviation Relationship To Base Unit Kilometer km 1000 m
1.0
(Base Unit)
Centimeter cm
100 cm
(1/100 or .01)
Millimeter mm
1000 mm
(1/1000 or .001)
Prefixes

6. Length Length - How long something is. Instrument = metric ruler
Base Unit = Meter (m)
(Base Unit)
(.1 or 1/10)
(.01 or 1/100)
(.001 or 1/1000)

7. Determining Length: How long is Example 1?
Which line is 50.0 mm in Length?
Which line is .5 cm in length?
How long is Line A?
1.9 cm or
19 mm
Line B
Line C
3.6 cm or
36 mm

8. Mass Unit Symbol Relationship To Base Unit Kilogram kg 1000 g Gram g
1.0
(Base Unit)
Centigram cg
100 cg
(1/100 or .01)
Milligram mg
1000 mg
(1/1000 or .001)

9. Mass Mass - The amount of matter in an object
Instrument = Triple Beam Balance
Base Unit = Gram (g)

10. Reading A Triple Beam Balance:
Start with the largest beam, 100s, then add 10s and finish with the
smallest beam, 1s.
Solve the Problem:
_____ + _____ + _____ = ______ g
200 70
6.5
276.5

11. Reading A Triple Beam Balance:
100 30
3.3
133.3
_____ + _____ + _____ = ______ g 30
4.5
34.5
_____ + _____ + _____ = ______ g

12. Volume Unit Symbol Relationship To Base Unit Kiloliter kL 1000 L Liter
1.0
(Base Unit)
Cubic centimeter – (solid)
cm3
100 cm3
(1/100 or .01)
Milliliter
– (Liquid) mL
1000 mL
(1/1000 or .001)

13. Volume Volume - The amount of space an object takes up.
2 Types of Volume measurements:
Solid Volume
An object that has regular measurable sides.
Liquid Volume
An object that is a liquid or has irregular, non-measurable sides.

14. Solid Volume Instrument – metric ruler Base Unit – cubic meters (m3)
Formula:
Volume = Length X Width X Height
There are 3 measurements so you must have a superscript of 3

15. Volume of a Solid Formula: Work: Answer: V = L X W X H = 20 X 10 X 5
V = 1000 cm3

16. Liquid Volume Instrument – Graduated Cylinder Base Unit – liter (L)
Reading a Graduated Cylinder:
Always take the reading
from eye level!
Water in a container has
a curved surface or meniscus.
Take the reading from the
bottom of the meniscus.

17. Measuring Liquid VolumemL mL mL
15 mL
18 mL
20 mL

18. Irregularly Shaped Object
What is the volume of this ball?
Formula:
Volume = After – Before
Work:
Answer: =
40 mL
65 mL
= 25 mL mL mL

19. Density
Density - The measurement of how much mass is contained in a given volume of an object.
Density is unique to each individual substance on Earth.
Water = 1 g/cm3 or 1g/mL
Used to compare all other substances to:
Anything greater than 1g/cm3 will sink
Anything less than 1g/cm3 will float
Formula: Density = Mass Volume

20. Substance Densities Substance Density Sink or Float Aluminum 2.7
Vegetable Oil
.91
Honey
1.36
Pine .5
Copper
8.96
Baby Oil
.82
Sink
Float
Sink
Float
Sink
Float

21. Finding Solid Density: (D = M/V)
1. A block of metal has a volume of 15 cm3 and has a mass of 10 g. What is its density?
Would this substance sink or float?
Formula:
Density = M/V
Work:
= 10 g / 15 cm3
Answer:
Density = .6 g/cm3
Float, less dense than
water

22. Finding Solid Density: (D = M/V)
2. A block of metal measures 4 cm X 4 cm X 4 cm
and has a mass of 75 g. What is its density?
Would this substance sink or float?
Volume = l x w x h
= 4 X 4 X 4
= 64 cm3
Formula: Density = M/V
Work:
= 75 g / 64 cm3
Answer:
4cm
4cm
4cm
= 1.2 g/cm3
Sink, more dense
Than water

23. Solid Density
If you were to cut a material in half would it’s density change?
75g
37.5g
4cm
4cm
2cm
Formula: D = M/V
Work: 37.5g/32cm3
Answer:
Formula: D = M/V
Work: 75g/64cm3
Answer:
1.2g/cm3
1.2g/cm3

24. Liquid Density
Put the liquids in their correct from least dense to most dense.
What letter represents water?
Liquid
Density
(g/mL) A
.89 B
2.34 C
1.21 D
1.0
.89
1.0
1.21
2.34
D, 1.0g/mL

25. Solid & Liquid Densities
If a ball that has a density of 1.73 g/cm3 were placed in the beaker, draw where the ball would come to rest?
1.73 g/cm3

26. Solid & Liquid Densities
If a block of wood has a density of .7 g/cm3 where would the block of wood be located in this beaker of water?
.7 g/cm3