The Metric System

“Why do we use/have to learn about the Metric System?” Almost all the countries in the world use

metric system. Other countries’ companies are refusing

to buy products from the U.S.A. if they are not labeled in metric units.

Scientists need a universal way to communicate data.

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“What does the Metric System measure?” Length - meters, m Mass - kilograms, kg (basic unit g)

Volume - liters, L Time - seconds, s Temperature - Celsius, ºC

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Volume For liquids, use a

graduated cylinder Measured in liters (L) Milliliters are more

common (mL)

For solids, use mathMeasured in cubic

centimeters (cm3)

l w

h

V = l · w · h cm3

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Important Conversions for Volume

1 cm3 = 1 mL A sugar cube has a

volume of 1 cm3, which is equal to 1 mL

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Kilo (k)1000units

Hecto (h)100units

Deka (dk)10

unitsBasic Unit

(m, g, L)Deci (d)

0.1units

Centi (c)0.01units

Milli (m)0.001units

Metric Conversion (Staircase Method)

To convert to a smaller unit, movedecimal point to the right

To convert to a larger unit, movedecimal point to the left

For example…7000 mg = ____ g

Step 1: Determine if you are going to go up or down the staircase.

Step 2: Determine how many steps there are from milligrams to grams.

Step 3: Move the decimal that many places.

Kilo (k)1000units

Hecto (h)100units

Deka (dk)10

unitsBasic Unit

(m, g, L)Deci (d)

0.1units

Centi (c)0.01units

Milli (m)0.001units

For example…7000 mg = ____ g

Step 1: Determine if you are going to go up or down the staircase.

Step 2: Determine how many steps there are from milligrams to grams.

Step 3: Move the decimal that many places.

Kilo (k)1000units

Hecto (h)100units

Deka (dk)10

unitsBasic Unit

(m, g, L)Deci (d)

0.1units

Centi (c)0.01units

Milli (m)0.001units

Let’s practice…

.15 L = _________ mL

20 cm = _________ m

.47 km = _________ mm