1. Measurement of Mass, Volume, Weight, and Length
What is necessary to perform “good” science?
September 2014

2. METRIC AND STANDARD MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
METRIC SYSTEM
STANDARD (ENGLISH) SYSTEM
Used worldwide
Used in science
Base units of 10 (Set conversion factors)
Common units we will use:
Grams (kg, mg, g)
Liters (ml, l)
Meters (mm, cm, km, m)
Celsius (°C)
Used in America
Uneven conversion factors
Common units we use:
Pounds (lbs)
Ounces (oz), Cups (c), Gallons (g), Pints (pt)
Inches (in), Feet (ft), yards (yds)
Fahrenheit (°F)

3. VOLUME- amount of space an object takes up
“REGULAR” (RECTANGULAR) OBJECTS
“IRREGULAR” OBJECTS
Measured using rulers
Goes hand in hand with length
L x W x H
Metric units are: meters (m), kilometers (km), millimeters (mm), etc…
Measured using graduated cylinders
Look at the MENISCUS (curved line of liquid)
Water displacement method (solids)- object goes in, water rises to show the amount of space the object takes up
Metric units are: milliliters (ml), liters (l), cubic centimeters (solids) (cm3), etc…

4. MASS and WEIGHT MASS WEIGHT
Amount of matter (stuff that makes up objects)
Measured with a triple beam balance or electronic balance
Metric units are: grams
Will NOT change no matter where you are in the universe
Amount of gravity acting on an object
Will change depending on where you are in the universe

5. ACCURACY and PRECISION
How close you are to the actual measurement
So if a book has a length of 15 centimeters, it is how many times you receive 14, 15 cm or 16 cm.
How many times you recieve same result in your data
How many times you get the same result with a piece of equipment.
So if you receive 15 cm, 5 times, you have some precision to your measurement
ACCURACY and PRECISION