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PARTC.docxPART C
Part C: The Metric System
Metric System Part 1: Why the metric system?
In science, we use a standard unit of measurement called the International System of Units (or SI system). You probably know this system by its more common name, the metric system. Unlike the English system of 12 inches to 1 foot, 3 feet in a yard, etc... The SI system function on units based on 10.
To start out, let's watch this video on the history of the SI system and why it matters:
HERE IS THE VIDEO LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bUVjJWA6Vw&t=2s
Why does the metric system matter?
Answer the following questions in your lab notebook from the video about the metric system:
1. Who was the earliest advocate for a uniform measuring system?
2. What historical event was pivotal in the adoption of a unified measurement system?
3. What defines our current ‘standard’ for one meter?
4. The word meter derives from a Greek word that means:
5. What might common French citizens have liked about the metric system when it was adopted? What might they have disliked? Why?
6. What circumstances during the French Revolution permitted the metric system to gain a foothold?
Metric System part 2: SI Base Units and Conversions
The metric or SI system has a set of base units of measure from which we can convert or derive other units. Below is a table that shows the base units for each of the important measurements that are used in biology.
|
Quantity |
Name of Unit |
Symbol |
English System Equivalent |
|
length |
meter |
m |
3.28 feet |
|
mass |
gram |
g |
2.2 pounds |
|
volume |
liter |
L |
33.8 ounces |
|
temperature |
Celsius |
°C |
room temperature = ~68°F = ~ 20°C |
These units are just a starting point. Using our base of 10, we can convert to smaller or larger units. For example, if we need to measure something smaller and 1 meter, we can use centimeters (cm). The prefix centi means 1/100, so there are 100 centimeters in one meter.
Here's a table showing the common prefixes and their conversions to get to larger or smaller units in the metric system. It's easiest to start with the base unit, then convert up to a larger unit, or down to a smaller unit, depending on what you're measuring.
|
Prefix |
Conversion |
|
Kilo (k) |
103 or 1,000 times larger than base unit |
|
Hecto (h) |
102 or 100 times larger than base unit |
|
Deka (D) |
101 or 10 times larger than base unit |
|
deci (d) |
10-1 or 1/10th of the base unit (0.1) |
|
centi (c) |
10-2 or 1/100th of the base unit (0.01) |
|
milli (m) |
10-3 or 1/1000th of the base unit (0.001) |
|
micro (μ) |
10-6 or 1/100,000th of the base unit (0.000001) |
Let's give this a try: let's watch this video as a tutorial on converting between units in the metric system.
HERE IS THE VIDEO LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHaKyNplino
Scientists typically do not go back and forth between metric and English systems. They work in metric.
Metric System Part 3: Measuring using the metric system
For this component of the lab, you'll be practicing taking measurements using virtual tools and video tutorials.
Measuring mass with a triple beam balance
Watch this video for a tutorial on using the triple beam balance to measure mass
HERE IS THE VIDEO LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAf6HoVK6JI
Then, go to this website to practice using a triple beam balanceLinks to an external site. . Save a copy of the certificate once you've successfully determined the mass of the 10 objects.
Measuring volume with a graduated cylinder
HERE IS THE VIDEO LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ewRaV5baik
We use graduated cylinders to accurately measure the volume of a liquid. Watch the video below for a tutorial on using a graduated cylinder.
Next, go to this website to practice measuring volume using a graduated cylinderLinks to an external site. . Once you've completed the practice, save a copy of your certificate to your computer.
LINK http://www.thephysicsaviary.com/Physics/Programs/Games/GraduatedCylinder/index.html
Measuring temperature in Celsius (centigrade)
Watch this video for an introduction to temperature and measuring temperature using a thermometer:
HERE IS THE VIDEO LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRgQY8jRDKU&feature=emb_imp_woyt
Go to this website to practice measuring temperature.Links to an external site. Save the certificate to your computer once you're finished.
Measuring length in cm
For this section, you'll need some supplies:
1. A ruler or tape measure with centimeters (or a ruler app like this oneLinks to an external site. ) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.kosev.rulering&hl=en_US
2. Five objects from your home
Use the ruler/tapemeasure/app to measure the 5 objects. Record the length of the objects in centimeters (cm). Then, you'll convert the length of the object in millimeters (mm). Copy this table into your lab notebook.
|
Object |
Length in cm |
Length in mm |
|
1. |
|
|
|
2. |
|
|
|
3. |
|
|
|
4. |
|
|
|
5. |
|
|
Take a picture of yourself measuring the five objects. You'll upload these as part of your lab later.
Part C: The Metric System
Metric System Part 1: Why the metric system?
In science, we use a standard unit of measurement called the International System of Units (or SI system). You probably know this system by its more common name, the metric system. Unlike the English system of 12 inches to 1 foot, 3 feet in a yard, etc... The SI system function on units based on 10.
To start out, let's watch this video on the history of the SI system and why it matters:
Why does the metric system matter?
Answer the following questions in your lab notebook from the video about the metric system:
1. Who was the earliest advocate for a uniform measuring system?
2. What historical event was pivotal in the adoption of a unified measurement system?
3. What defines our current ‘standard’ for one meter?
4. The word meter derives from a Greek word that means:
5. What might common French citizens have liked about the metric system when it was adopted? What might they have disliked? Why?
6. What circumstances during the French Revolution permitted the metric system to gain a foothold?
Metric System part 2: SI Base Units and Conversions
The metric or SI system has a set of base units of measure from which we can convert or derive other units. Below is a table that shows the base units for each of the important measurements that are used in biology.
|
Quantity |
Name of Unit |
Symbol |
English System Equivalent |
|
length |
meter |
m |
3.28 feet |
|
mass |
gram |
g |
2.2 pounds |
|
volume |
liter |
L |
33.8 ounces |
|
temperature |
Celsius |
°C |
room temperature = ~68°F = ~ 20°C |
These units are just a starting point. Using our base of 10, we can convert to smaller or larger units. For example, if we need to measure something smaller and 1 meter, we can use centimeters (cm). The prefix centi means 1/100, so there are 100 centimeters in one meter.
Here's a table showing the common prefixes and their conversions to get to larger or smaller units in the metric system. It's easiest to start with the base unit, then convert up to a larger unit, or down to a smaller unit, depending on what you're measuring.
|
Prefix |
Conversion |
|
Kilo (k) |
103 or 1,000 times larger than base unit |
|
Hecto (h) |
102 or 100 times larger than base unit |
|
Deka (D) |
101 or 10 times larger than base unit |
|
deci (d) |
10-1 or 1/10th of the base unit (0.1) |
|
centi (c) |
10-2 or 1/100th of the base unit (0.01) |
|
milli (m) |
10-3 or 1/1000th of the base unit (0.001) |
|
micro (μ) |
10-6 or 1/100,000th of the base unit (0.000001) |
Let's give this a try: let's watch this video as a tutorial on converting between units in the metric system.
Scientists typically do not go back and forth between metric and English systems. They work in metric.
Metric System Part 3: Measuring using the metric system
For this component of the lab, you'll be practicing taking measurements using virtual tools and video tutorials.
Measuring mass with a triple beam balance
Watch this video for a tutorial on using the triple beam balance to measure mass
Then, go to this website to practice using a triple beam balanceLinks to an external site. . Save a copy of the certificate once you've successfully determined the mass of the 10 objects.
Measuring volume with a graduated cylinder
We use graduated cylinders to accurately measure the volume of a liquid. Watch the video below for a tutorial on using a graduated cylinder.
Next, go to this website to practice measuring volume using a graduated cylinderLinks to an external site. . Once you've completed the practice, save a copy of your certificate to your computer.
Measuring temperature in Celsius (centigrade)
Watch this video for an introduction to temperature and measuring temperature using a thermometer:
Go to this website to practice measuring temperature.Links to an external site. Save the certificate to your computer once you're finished.
Measuring length in cm
For this section, you'll need some supplies:
1. A ruler or tape measure with centimeters (or a ruler app like this oneLinks to an external site. )
2. Five objects from your home
Use the ruler/tapemeasure/app to measure the 5 objects. Record the length of the objects in centimeters (cm). Then, you'll convert the length of the object in millimeters (mm). Copy this table into your lab notebook.
|
Object |
Length in cm |
Length in mm |
|
1. |
|
|
|
2. |
|
|
|
3. |
|
|
|
4. |
|
|
|
5. |
|
|
Take a picture of yourself measuring the five objects. You'll upload these as part of your lab later.
