Section 3: Recording Data Using Metric Units

Unit 1: Introduction to Science

Section 3: Recording Data Using Metric Units

The Metric System- A decimal system of measurement whose units are based on certain physical standards and are scaled on multiples of 10.

All scientists should use the metric system when collecting data and doing experiments.

Why do we use a common system of measurement? Because researchers need to copy or redo each other’s experiments and most involve measurements. Most of the world uses metrics anyway.

Length / Mass / Volume
Kilometer / 0.001 / Kilogram / 0.001 / Kiloliter / 0.001
Hectometer / 0.01 / Hectogram / 0.01 / Hectoliter / 0.01
Decameter / 0.1 / Decagram / 0.1 / Decaliter / 0.1
Meter / 1 / Gram / 1 / Liter / 1
Decimeter / 10 / Decigram / 10 / Deciliter / 10
Centimeter / 100 / Centigram / 100 / Centiliter / 100
Millimeter / 1000 / Milligram / 1000 / Milliliter / 1000

Remember K,H,D,M,D,C,M or Kilo, Hecto, Deca, MAIN UNIT (meter, liter, gram), Deci, Centi, Milli

Ø  The base unit for length or distance is the meter.

Ø  The base unit for volume (amount of liquid) is the liter.

Ø  The base unit for mass (weight) is the gram.

Each word literally means something in Latin:

Unit / Abbreviation
Meter / m
Gram / g
Liter / L
Milligram / mg
Centimeter / cm

Kilo- Thousand

Hecto- Hundred

Deca- Ten

Deci- Tenth

Centi- Hundredth

Milli- Thousandth

That way you can convert anything by just moving the decimal left or right. If you want to go left of the chart, move the decimal to the left (number will go down) and move the decimal to the right if you want to go right of the chart. (number will go up)

Some examples:

1.  1000 meters = 1______(Kilometer)

2.  1 liter = ______milliliters (1000)

3.  1 gram = ______milligrams (1000)

4.  1000 kilograms = ______grams (1,000,000)

5.  1 centiliter = ______liter (0.01)

6.  10 kilometers = 1,000,000 ______(centimeters)

TEMPERATURE

Even temperature has a different unit of measurement called Celsius.

(denoted as °C )

Freezing Point = 0° C Boiling Point = 100° C

If you have something measured in Fahrenheit (°F) which is the English form of measurement here is how you change it to Celsius.

°C = (°F - 32) x 0.56 or °F = °C / 0.56 + 32

CONVERSIONS

Sometimes measurements are given in American standard format such as inches, miles, cups, yards, teaspoons, pounds, etc. In these cases you will have to convert those measurements into metric measurements to use in your experiments and research. Most of the time, it simply involves multiplying by a given factor.

Vocabulary in this section:

The Metric System Meter Liter Gram