Making Metric Measurements

Name ______LAB 3

Making Metric Measurements

Introduction:

The basic unit of length measurement in the metric system is the meter, Volume measurement is the liter, and temperature is measured in Celsius degrees. This lab will ask you to make a variety of measurements, record them and then convert them to larger or smaller metric measurements.

Objectives:

A. Make metric measurements

B. Convert metric measurements

Materials: metric ruler

Procedures and Observations: Use the metric ruler below or use one provided by your teacher and the diagrams provided to assist you in understanding metric measurements.

1 centimeter (cm) = 10 millimeters (mm)

Part A: Length Measurements

1. width of lab book ______cm = ______mm / 5. shoe length ______cm = ______mm
2. height of table ______cm = ______mm / 6. hand span ______cm = ______mm
3. your height ______cm = ______mm / 7. reach ______cm = ______mm
4. length of floor tile _____ cm = ______mm / 8. pace ______cm = ______mm

After measuring bones A through E of the hand and foot on the next page, record their lengths in mm in the data table. Convert the mm measurements to centimeters by moving the decimal point one place to the left and record that number in the data table.

BONES / HAND / FOOT
MM / CM / MM / CM
A
B
C
D
E
Thumb & Big toe
Small finger & toe

1. A student measured a larva of a mealworm using a metric ruler, as represented in
the diagram below. What is the length of the larva? mm ______cm ______

2. Base your answer to the question on the diagram below

How many millimeters long is the organism resting on the metric ruler? mm______cm ______

3. The length of the leaf in the drawing is:

A.1.07cmC. 10.7cm

B.1.7cmD. 107mm

Answer ______

Part B: Measuring Volume in the Metric System

Volume is the amount of space matter takes up. The most commonly used metric measurements of volume are the liter (L), and the milliliter (ml). Volume is always measured from the bottom of themeniscus, which is a dip in the water caused by a combination of the pull of gravity and the attraction that water has to the sides of the graduated cylinder Look at the diagram below and answer the following questions.

1. How many milliliters are in this graduated cylinder?____

2. In one complete sentence, describe the procedure that you would use follow to read the meniscus.______

______

______

3. In a full sentence, state what a student must do to obtain a volume of 85 milliliters of liquid in this measuring device?______

______

______

______

MEASURING LIQUID VOLUME WITH AGRADUATED CYLINDER

Purpose: - To develop skill in measuring with a graduatedcylinder.

- To use the metric system in measuring volume.

Materials: red, blue, and yellow colored water, 3 beakers, 6 test tubes, teststand,

50- ml graduated cylinder, paper

Procedure: 1. Place a piece of paper under the test tube rack and write the letters A, B, C, D, E, and F in front of each test tube in the rack.

2. Pour approximately 35 mL of red water into one beaker. Pour
the same amount of blue into another beaker. Repeat for

the yellow water.

3. Into test tube A measure 19 mL of red water.

4. Into test tube C measure 18 mL of yellow water.

5. Into test tube E measure 18 mL of blue water.

6. From test tube C measure 4 mL and pour the 4 mL into test
tube D.

7. From test tube E measure 7 mL and add it to test tube D. Mix.

8. From the beaker of blue water measure 4 mL and pour it into
test tube F. Then from the beaker of red water measure 7 mL
add it to test rube F. Mix.

9. From test tube A measure 8 mL of water and pour it into test B From test tube C measure 3 mL and add it to test tube B. Mix.

Observations: Complete the data table below by listing the final colors ineach test tube. Give the total amount of water in each tube by measuring directly and by calculating.

Test
Tube / Color of Water / Actual Amount of
Water / Calculated Amount
of Water
A
B
C
D
E
F

Questions and Conclusion:

1. Convert the actual amounts of water you obtained in each of
the following test tubes to the metric units indicated-
A=______liters

B=______centiliters

C=______deciliters

D=______l

E=______kl
F=______cl

2. If your actual measurement differed from your calculated, account for this difference.

3. Use your textbook or another source to explain thephenomena (meniscus) which occurs when you pourliquids into a tall tube like container like the graduatedcylinder.

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