middle school basic overview of the metric system

1. Making
Measurements in
Science
The standard system of measurement all
scientists use is the
METRIC SYSTEM

2. Measuring Mass
 Mass is a measurement of the amount of
matter in an object
 Instrument: Balance (triple beam, double
pan or electronic)
 Base unit: gram (g)
 Other common units:
milligram (mg)
kilogram (kg)
 Which is larger than a gram? Which is
smaller?

3. Measuring Distance
 Distance is a measurement of how far apart
objects are from each other.
 Instrument: Meter stick
 Base unit: meter (m)
 Other common units:
 millimeter (mm)
 centimeter (cm)
 kilometer (km)
 Which of the units are larger than a meter?
Which are smaller?

4. Measuring Liquid Volume
 Volume is a measurement of the amount
of space an object or matter occupies
 Instrument: graduated cylinder or
beaker
 Which instrument will give you a more
accurate measurement?
 Base unit: liter (L)
 Other common unit:
milliliter (mL)
 Is this smaller or larger than a liter?

5. Reading the Meniscus
 When measuring liquid volume, you must
remember to read the meniscus properly
 The meniscus is curve of a liquid when
placed in a cylinder
 Always make your measurement at the
middle of the meniscus
 What is the measurement in the
graduated cylinder?

6. Measuring Solid Volume
 How do you measure the volume of an
object that has a regular shape, such as a
block of wood?
 Instrument: meter stick
 Formula: Volume = l x w x h
 Base unit: cubic meter (m3
)
 Other common unit:
cubic cm (cm3
)
 Why is the unit cubed?

7. Measuring Solid Volume
Water Displacement Method
 How do you measure the volume of an object that
has a irregular shape, such as a rock?
 There are actually 2 methods, both involving
water.
 Instrument: graduated cylinder or overflow can
 Base unit: cubic meter (m3
)
 Other common unit:
 cubic cm (cm3
)
 Which do you think is more accurate?

8. Measuring Weight
 Weight is a measurement of the force
of gravity acting upon an object
 Instrument: Spring scale
 Base unit: Newton (N)

9. Measuring Temperature
 Temperature is the measurement of the
energy of the molecules in an object
 The higher the temperature, the faster the
molecules are moving
 Instrument: thermometer
 Base unit: degrees Celsius (o
C)
 Other unit: Kelvin (K)

10. Any Questions?