1. The Metric System

2. International System of Units (SI)
The standard system of measurement used by scientists around the world.
Based on multiples of 10.

3. Length

4. Length
A measurement of size, such as how long, tall, or wide an object is or the distance between two points.
determined using a metric ruler or meter stick
basic unit is the meter

5. Measuring Length 2
1. What is the length of the line in centimeters? _______ cm
2. What is the length of the line in millimeters? _______mm 20
3. What is the length of the line in centimeters?________cm
Hint: the answer is the to the nearest tenth.
2.5

6. Mass

7. Mass the amount of matter in an object.
measured using a triple beam balance
the basic unit is the gram

8. _______ + ______ + _______ = ________ g
Measuring Mass
Triple-beam balances if is the instrument used to find the mass of various objects.
The objects are placed on the scale and then you move the weights on the beams until you get the lines on the right-side of the scale to match up.
Once you have balanced the scale, you add up the amounts on each beam to find the total mass.
What would be the mass of the object measured in the picture?
_______ + ______ + _______ = ________ g

9. Using a Triple Beam Balance
1st – Place the film canister on the scale.
5th – Add the amounts on each beam to find the total mass to the nearest tenth of a gram.
2nd – Slide the large weight to the right until the arm drops below the line. Move the rider back one groove. Make sure it “locks” into place.
3rd – Repeat this process with the top weight. When the arm moves below the line, back it up one groove.
4th – Slide the small weight on the front beam until the lines match up.

10. Volume

11. Volume the amount of space an object takes up.
measured in liters or cubic centimeters (cm3)

12. Measuring the Volume of a Liquid
Graduated cylinder: The instrument used to find liquid volume
Meniscus: the curved surface that water forms when placed in a graduated cylinder.
A concave meniscus occurs when the molecules of the liquid attract those of the container. The glass attracts the water on the sides.
When using a real cylinder, make sure you are eye-level with the level of the water and that you read the scale at the bottom of the meniscus.

13. Measuring the Volume of a Regular Shaped Object
Measure the length, width and height of the object
Calculate using the formula:
Volume = Length x width x height

14. Measure the volume of irregular object
Use the Water Displacement Method
Measure the water before placing the object into the graduated cylinder
Place the object into that graduated cylinder
Measure the water with the object
Take the difference between the two measurements. This is the volume of the object.

15. Measuring the volume of a solid
We can measure the volume of regular object using a metric ruler and the formula
length x width x height.
10 cm
9 cm
8 cm
_____ X _____ X _____ = _____
We can measure the volume of irregular object using water displacement.
Measure the water before placing the object into the graduated cylinder.
Place the object into that graduated cylinder
Measure the water with the object
Take the difference between the two measurements.
What is the volume of the rock? ___________ - ____________ = _____________

16. Metric Conversions Ladder Method
T. Trimpe

17. Common SI Prefixes Prefix Symbol Multiplying Factor Kilo K 1000 Hecto
Deka Da 10
Basic Unit
g, m, l 1
Deci d
1/10
Centi c
1/100
Milli m
1/1000

18. How many jumps does it take?
Ladder Method 1 2 3
KILO 1000 Units
HECTO 100 Units
DEKA 10 Units
DECI 0.1 Unit
Meters Liters Grams
CENTI 0.01 Unit
MILLI Unit
How do you use the “ladder” method?
1st – Determine your starting point.
2nd – Count the “jumps” to your ending point.
3rd – Move the decimal the same number of jumps in the same direction.
4 km = _________ m
Starting Point
Ending Point
How many jumps does it take? 4. 1
__. 2
__. 3
__.
= 4000 m