The Metric System
The Metric SystemMeters, Grams, and Liters
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Place Values of Metric PrefixesThousandHundredTenOneTenthHundredthThousandthkmkgkL
hmhghL
dkmdkgdkL
mgLdmdgdL
cmcgcL
mmmgmL
MetersMeters measure length or distanceOne millimeter is about the thickness of a dime.
MetersOne centimeter is about the width of a large paper clip
or your fingernail.MetersA meter is about the width of a doorway
MetersA kilometer is about six city blocks or 10 football fields.
1.6 kilometers is about 1 mile
GramGrams are used to measure mass or the weight of an object.
GramsA milligram weighs about as much as a grain of salt.
Grams1 gram weighs about as much as a small paper clip.
1 kilogram weighs about as much as 6 apples or 2 pounds.
LitersLiters measure liquids or capacity.
2 Liter SodaLiter1 milliliter is about the amount of one drop
Liter1 liter is half of a 2 liter bottle of Coke or other soda
LiterA kiloliter would be about 500 2-liter bottles of pop
Factor-Label MethodSolving ProblemsThe Factor label MethodA way to solve math problems in scienceUsed to convert:km to m, g to kg, etc.To use this we need: given quantity (know)desired quantity (find) conversion factors
Conversion factors are valid relationships or equalities expressed as a fraction and equal to one!
The Steps to FollowWrite the units for the desired quantity preceded by = To the left of the = write down the given quantity over 1Determine what conversion factors you will use to turn the given units into the needed units.Cancel the unwanted unitsComplete the math
Factor label ExampleHow many meters are in 47.5 km?Write the desired units (m) [FIND]Write the given quantity with units [KNOW]Write the conversion factor.Cancel the units.Do the math without rounding.Write the answer using significant figures.
Significant FiguresLeading zeroes never count.Trailing zeroes only count if there is a decimal point.All numbers that are not leading zeroes or trailing zeroes always count.Conversion factors DO NOT determine significant figures!47.5 km x 1000m = _____ m 1 1 km47.5 km x 1000m = 47500 m 1 1 kmWhat unit would you use to measure each of the following items?Which unit would you use to measure the length of this bicycle?
kmmcmmmWhich unit would you use to measure the mass of a penny?
kmgcLmgWhich unit would you use to measure the water in an aquarium?
LmcLmgWhich unit would you use to measure the mass of a feather?
LmcLmgWhich unit would you use to measure the mass of a student desk? kggcLmg
Which unit would you use to measure the mass of a whole watermelon?
kggcLmgWhich unit would you use to measure the mass of an egg?
kggmmmg Which unit would you use to measure a can of soup? kLLmmmL
SoupWhich unit would you use to measure this glass of milk?
kLLcLmLWhich unit would you use to measure the distance across Kansas? kmmcmmL
Which unit would you use to measure the height of a tree? kmmcmmm
Which unit would you use to measure the length of a bracelet? kmmcmmm