Aim: What is the Metric System?

Do Now:

1) Hand in your home work and Notepack 2

2) Write down 3 units used in the metric system.

Example we use the unit, miles, in the US.

Note Pack #3 September 14, 2016

What is the Metric System?

• The metric system is a system of weights and measures in which all units are divisible by ten or multiples of ten.

• The metric system of measurement was developed by French scientists during the French Revolution (1789-99).

• It was a way to standardized measurements throughout the world for the use of trade (conduct business).

Why do we use the Metric System?• Almost all the countries in the world are using the

metric system.

• The metric system allows international businesses to buy products based on a known unit of measurement.

Example - Many companies for foreign countries are refusing to buy products from the U.S. if the product is not labeled using metric units

• Also, scientists from around the world need a universal way to communicate data (metric system, aka, SI Units)

What are some things that need to be measured?

• In Earth Science you will be measuring the following:*Length – the measurement of distance – metric

base unit is meter

*Mass – the weight something is - metric base unit is grams

*Volume – how much space something occupies -metric base unit is liter

*Temperature – How much heat something has -metric base unit is Celsius or Kelvin

Approximate Conversions Between Metric and US Units

• A meter is a little less than three feet long.

– About how many feet are in 4 meters? ______________

• An ounce is a little less than 28 grams.

– About how many grams are in 3 ounces? ______________

• A gallon is a little less than 4 litters.

– About how many litters are in 6 gallons? _______________

THE METRIC CONVERSION CHART (STAIRCASE METHOD)

Kilo

1000units

Hecto

100units

Deka

10units

Basic

Unit Deci

0.1units

Centi

0.01units

Milli

0.001units

To convert to a smaller unit, move

decimal point to the right or

multiply.

To convert to a larger unit, move

decimal point to the left or divide

How can you Remember the Units?

• The units are the same if you are measuring length, volume or mass. Only the base changes (meter, liter and grams)

• Use this sentence to help you remember the order of the units:

Keep Helping Donna Because Donna Can’t MeasureKilo

Heto

Deka

Base

Deci

Centi

Mi

l

l

i

TRY THIS USING THE STAIRCASE METHOD

1000 mg = ______ g

Step 1: Write the “ladder”.

Step 2: Locate the units you are solving.

Step 3: Determine if you are going to go up or down the ladder.

Step 4: Determine how many steps there are from milligrams to grams.

Step 5: Move the decimal point the amount of places that was

determined in step 4.

K H D B D C M123

1

TRY THIS USING THE STAIRCASE METHOD

170cm = __________ km.00170

K H D B D C M

TRY THIS USING THE STAIRCASE METHOD

.15 L = __________ ml

K H D B D C M

150

How do you convert Temperature into Metric Units?

• In the US, we commonly use Fahrenheit to measure temperature.

• Earth Science uses 2 units of measurement for temperature- Celsius and Kelvin

• Celsius is more commonly used (weather, the temperature of things)

• Kelvin is used to measure extreme temperatures (the temperature in outer space or liquid nitrogen)

How do you convert Fahrenheit to Celsius?

• Turn to page 13 of your reference booklet and look at the chart on top and center of the page.

• By drawing a line across the chart, you can determine the temperature of all 3 units.

• How many Co

is 140 Fo?

– About 60 Co

• How many Fo

is 20 Co?

– About 70 Fo

• How many Co

is -40 Fo?

– About -40 Co

• Note that each temperature has different scales.

– Fo is by 20

– Co is by 10

– Ko is by 10