Measuring with the Metric System

The International System of Units

Why Metric?The metric system is a system of measurement that is used by scientists all over the world

It is simpler and easier to use and understand

Most countries only use the metric system

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Metric UnitsThere are different metric units depending on what we want to measure

LENGTH: meter (m)

VOLUME: liter (l)

MASS: gram (g)

TEMPERATURE: celsius (c)

Base

Uni

ts

Prefixes are ImportantWhen you add a prefix to a base unit you change it’s value.

kilo: 1000

hecta: 100

deca: 10

deci: 0.1 (1/10)

centi: 0.01 (1/100)

milli: 0.001 (1/1000)

Length/DistanceThe basic unit of length in the metric system is the meter and is represented by a lowercase m

To measure length we use a ruler

The standard for length is determined by how far light travels in an absolute vacuum in 1/2,999,792,458 of a second

English vs. MetricWhich is longer…?

1 mile or 1 kilometer

1 yard or 1 meter

1 inch or 1 centimeter

Which is larger?

1 meter or 105 centimeters

4 kilometers or 4400 meters

12 centimeters or 102 millimeters

1200 millimeters or 1 meter

Metric Units:

1 kilometer (km) = 1000 meters

1 meter = 100 centimeters (cm)

1 meter = 1000 millimeters (mm)

MassMass refers to the amount of matter in an object

the base unit of mass in the metric system is the kilogram and is represented by kg

Mass is measured using a scale

The standard for mass is equal to the mass of a platinum-iridium cylinder kept in Sevres, France.

English vs. MetricWhich is larger…?

1 pound or 1 kilogram

1 pound or 100 grams

1 ounce or 1 milligrams

Which is larger?

1 kilogram or 1500 grams

1200 milligrams or 1 gram

12 milligrams or 12 kilograms

4 kilograms or 4500 grams

Metric Units:

1 kilogram (kg) = 1000 grams

1 gram = 1000 milligrams (mg)

VolumeVolume is the amount of space an object takes up.

The base unit of volume in the metric system is the liter and is represented by a L or l

The standard is equal to one cubic decimeter

Measuring VolumeVolume is measured using a graduated cylinder

To properly measure volume you must read the number at the bottom of the curve or meniscus

You must also be at eye level

English vs. MetricWhich is larger…?

1 liter or 1 gallon

1 liter or 1 quart

1 milliliter or 1 fluid ounce