1. Aim: What is the Metric System?
Note Pack #3
September 18, 2015
Aim: What is the Metric System?
Do Now: Write down 3 units used in the metric system.
Example we use the unit, miles, in the US.

2. What is the Metric System?
The metric system is a system of weights and measures in which all units are divisible by ten or multiples of ten.
The metric system of measurement was developed by French scientists during the French Revolution ( ).
It was a way to standardized measurements throughout the world for the use of trade (conduct business).

3. Why do we use the Metric System?
Almost all the countries in the world are using the metric system.
The metric system allows international businesses to buy products based on a known unit of measurement.
Example - Many companies for foreign countries are refusing to buy products from the U.S. if the product is not labeled using metric units
Also, scientists from around the world need a universal way to communicate data (metric system, aka, SI Units)

4. What are some things that need to be measured?
In Earth Science you will be measuring the following:
*Length – the measurement of distance – metric base unit is meter
*Mass – the weight something is - metric base unit is grams
*Volume – how much space something occupies - metric base unit is liter
*Temperature – How much heat something has - metric base unit is Celsius or Kelvin

5. Approximate Conversions Between Metric and US Units
A meter is a little less than three feet long.
About how many feet are in 4 meters? ______________
An ounce is a little less than 28 grams.
About how many grams are in 3 ounces? ______________
A gallon is a little less than 4 litters.
About how many litters are in 6 gallons? _______________

6. THE METRIC CONVERSION CHART (STAIRCASE METHOD)
To convert to a smaller unit, move
decimal point to the right or
multiply.
Kilo
1000
units
Hecto
100
Deka 10
Basic
Unit
Deci
0.1
Centi
0.01
Milli
0.001
To convert to a larger unit, move
decimal point to the left or divide

7. How can you Remember the Units?
The units are the same if you are measuring length, volume or mass. Only the base changes (meter, liter and grams)
Use this sentence to help you remember the order of the units:
Keep Helping Donna Because Donna Can’t Measure Ki lo
Heto
Deka
Base
Deci
Cent i Mi
l l i

8. TRY THIS USING THE STAIRCASE METHOD
K H D B D C M 3 2 1
1000 mg = ______ g 1
Step 1: Write the “ladder”.
Step 2: Locate the units you are solving.
Step 3: Determine if you are going to go up or down the ladder.
Step 4: Determine how many steps there are from milligrams to grams.
Step 5: Move the decimal point the amount of places that was
determined in step 4.

9. TRY THIS USING THE STAIRCASE METHOD
K H D B D C M
170cm = __________ km
.00170

10. TRY THIS USING THE STAIRCASE METHOD
K H D B D C M
.15 L = __________ ml
150

11. How do you convert Temperature into Metric Units?
In the US, we commonly use Fahrenheit to measure temperature.
Earth Science uses 2 units of measurement for temperature- Celsius and Kelvin
Celsius is more commonly used (weather, the temperature of things)
Kelvin is used to measure extreme temperatures (the temperature in outer space or liquid nitrogen)

12. How do you convert Fahrenheit to Celsius?
Turn to page 13 of your reference booklet and look at the chart on top and center of the page.
By drawing a line across the chart, you can determine the temperature of all 3 units.

13. How many Co is 140 Fo?
About 60 Co

14. How many Fo is 20 Co?
About 70 Fo

15. How many Co is -40 Fo?
About -40 Co

16. Note that each temperature has different scales.
Fo is by 20
Co is by 10
Ko is by 10