Metric Measurement

Measuring DistanceThe basic metric unit for distance is meters (m)

Centimeters (cm) or millimeters (mm) are best for measuring very short distances. 100 cm in 1 meter.10 mm in 1 centimeterWhat is the length of this line in cm? In mm?

Kilometers (Km) is the best unit for measuring long distances. There are 1000 meters in 1 km.

How many meters to Athabasca Falls? How many centimeters to Athabasca Falls?

Measuring Volume The amount of space occupied by

a 3 dimensional object.

Volume of regular shaped solids can be determined using simple equations like = L x W x H

For volume of a liquid, use graduated cylinder.

For irregular shaped solids, use the water displacement method.

For solids, use cm3 or m3

For liquids, use mL or L

Conversion: 1 cm3 solid = 1 mL liquid

The formula for the volume of a rectangular prism is: Length x Width x Height = cm3

Calculate the volume for each solid shape below. The unit for each measurement is cm.

The formula for the volume of a rectangular prism is: Length x Width x Height = cm3

Calculate the volume for each solid shape below. The unit for each measurement is cm.

Volume of Irregular Objects A rock was placed into a graduated cylinder

containing 100 milliliters of water. The diagram to the right illustrates the new level of water.

What is the volume of the rock?

(A) 42 cm3 (B) 142 cm3

(C) 42 mL (D) 142 mL

Modified from NY State Regents Exam: Biology Jan. 24, 2001

A rock was placed into a graduated cylinder containing 100 milliliters of water. The diagram to the right illustrates the new level of water.

What is the volume of the rock?

(C) 42 cm3

142 mL (end) – 100 mL (start) = 42 mL or 42 cm3

Each line = 2 mL increments

This method is called “displacement”

Volume of Irregular Objects

Measuring mass The amount of matter in an object.

Use an electric balance to determine mass

For solids use g, or kg

For liquids, use the same method and units but remember to subtract the mass of the container from the total mass to find the mass of the liquid only.

Example: 200g total mass – 40g beaker = 160g of liquid

Weight is related to mass, but they are not the same.

Weight is the measure of gravitational force on an object, which is different on earth than on the moon or other planets. But weight is really the only way to measure mass.

Mass is just the amount of matter in an object, so it never changes.

Measuring TemperatureDegree Celsius (° C) measures temperature.

Water freezes at 0 °C and boils at 100 °C

Use a thermometer to measure temperature.