1. Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Making Scientific Measurements
When scientists make observations and measurements, it is not sufficient to say that something is “big” or “heavy.”
Qualitative
Measurements
are general terms
and are not specific
enough for science.
Examples include:
Big, heavy, and warm.
Quantitative Measurements
are specific and are the type of measurements scientists use. Examples include: 500cm3, 70g, and 100°C.
Quantity = #
Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom A+

2. Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Making Scientific Measurements
Scientists use a standard system of measurement know as the: International System of Units (SI system).
The SI system is based on multiples of 10.
Each unit is 10 times larger than the next smallest unit.
Common SI prefixes
Symbol
Meaning
Kilo- k
1,000
Hecto- h
100
Deka- da 10
Deci- d
0.1 one tenth
Centi- c
0.01 one hundredth
Milli- m
one thousandth
Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom A+

3. Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Length (distance)
Length is the: distance between two points.
FACTS ABOUT LENGTH MEASURMENTS:
The unit for distance is the meter (m).
Small distances measured in centimeters (cm) or millimeters (mm)
Large distances (here to Richmond) measured in kilometers (km)
1 km = 1000 m Common Conversions
1 m = 100 cm
1 m = 1,000 mm
1 cm = 10 mm
Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom A+

4. Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Temperature
Temperature is the: average motion of molecules in a substance.
Hot = faster motion Cold = slower motion
FACTS ABOUT TEMPERATURE MEASURMENTS:
The unit for temperature is a degree.
Scientists use the Celsius Scale °C to measure temperature.
Water boils at 100°C and freezes at 0°C
Fahrenheit to Celsius: (5/9) x (F-32).
Celsius to Fahrenheit: (1.8 x C) +32.
Thermometer- read at top of the curve.
Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom A+

5. Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Area
Area is the: size of a region or space.
FACTS ABOUT AREA MEASURMENTS:
Area is found by multiplying two distances.
Area = (Length) x (Width)
Units are also multiplied and become “squared” 2
Length = 20m
Width = 20m
(20m) X (20m) = 400m2
20 m
20 m
Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom A+

6. Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Volume (square objects, like a box)
Volume is the: amount of space something takes up.
FACTS ABOUT VOLUME MEASURMENTS:
Volume is found by multiplying three distances.
Volume = (Length) x (Width) x (Height)
Units are also multiplied and become “cubed” 3
Length = 10m
Width = 10m
Height = 20m
(10m) X (10m) X (20m) = 2000m3
20 m
10 m
10 m
Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom A+

7. Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Volume (liquid, like water in a cup)
FACTS ABOUT LIQUID VOLUME MEASURMENTS:
The unit for liquid volume is the Liter (L).
Volume is found using a graduated cylinder.
Units for small volumes are milliliters (ml). 20 30 40 50
You should always read a graduated cylinder at the bottom of the curve of the liquid. That curve is called the meniscus.
1 L = 1000 mL Common Conversions
Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom A+

8. Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Mass
Mass is the: amount of matter “stuff” something is made of. Mass will not change unless you add or take away matter.
FACTS ABOUT MASS MEASURMENTS:
The unit for mass is the gram (g).
Large masses are measured in kilograms (kg).
A triple beam balance (NOT A SCALE) is used to measure mass.
1 kg = 1000 g Common Conversions
Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom A+

9. Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Weight
Weight is: how much gravity pulls on you or on any other object, such as a planet.
Gravity changes from one place to another
and thus so does your weight.
The more massive the object,
the more it will pull on you...
AND THE HIGHER YOUR
WEIGHT WILL BE.
150 Newtons
25 Newtons
You press down less on the scale.
you weigh less
on the moon
MOON
EARTH
1/6 the gravity
Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom A+

10. Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Density
Density is: how closely packed particles in a substance are.
Said another way, Density is: the amount of matter (mass) in a
given space (volume).
Density = mass (g)
volume (cm3)
m= 10g m = 10g
v = 10cm v = 2cm3
d= 1g/cm d= 5g/cm3
LESS DENSE MORE DENSE
Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom A+

11. Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Density
Density = mass (g)
volume (cm3)
FACTS ABOUT DENSITY MEASURMENTS:
Density is found by dividing a mass (g) or (kg) and a volume (cm3) or (ml).
Units must also be divided: Example: g/cm3.
Mass = g
Volume = 10cm3
= 2g/cm3
Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom A+

12. Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Density
Density = mass (g)
volume (cm3)
Given any two of these quantities (density, mass, or volume) you can find the other by either multiplying or dividing appropriately.
Density = 2g
Volume = 10cm3
Mass = ?
(2g) x (10cm3)
= 20g m
d v
Density Triangle
Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom A+