INTRODUCING THE METRIC SYSTEM Alice L. Comisky The metric system of measurement is used by scientist throughout the world. Based on the unit of ten, each unit is ten times larger or smaller than the next unit. kilometer hectometer dekameter meter decimeter centimeter millimeter We will be using the metric system in laboratory activities to make observations based on measurements. Using the metric system we will measure volume, mass, temperature and linear measurements (for example length, width, height, depth and diameter). Some of the tools you will need to become familiar with are: the metric ruler, the meter stick, the triple beam balance, the graduated cylinder and the celcius thermometer. You will be seeing the following vocabulary words throughout the lessons. Take the time to become familiar with the meaning of each word. volumecentimeter cubed meterlinear meniscusdegree Celsius massgram millilitergraduated cylinder millimetertriple beam balance metric rulercentimeter There are lessons available for mass, linear measure, volume and temperature. The first lesson on linear measure begins with the next slide. LinearMeasurement using the Metric System The basic unit of linear measurement in the metric system is the meter. In science class we will be using the meter, the centimeter and the millimeter as units of linear measure. Although we will not be physically using them we will refer to the kilometer and the light year. Used in science lab activities. When a meter is divided into one hundred even segments, each of those segments is a centimeter in length. Therefore 0.01 of a meter is a centimeter and conversely one hundred centimeters equals a meter. When a meter is divided into one thousand even segment, each of those segments is a millimeter in length. Therefore of a meter is a millimeter and conversely one thousand millimeters equals a meter. If you attached 1000 meter sticks end to end you would have a length of one kilometer. (Can you imagine carrying a kilometer stick around!) Therefore of a kilometer is a meter and 1000 meters equals a kilometer. Kilometer How am I supposed to get this in the building? SIMPLE CONVERSIONS How can I remember each measurement? In science class we use the millimeter to measure lengths less than 1 centimeter. The centimeter is used for lengths from 1 centimeter to 999 centimeters. The meter is used for lengths between 1 meter and 999 meters. Less than a centimeter so use the millimeter as your unit of measure. More than a centimeter but less than one meter. Use the centimeter as your unit of measure. This object has a diameter of 7 millimeters. This object has a length of 3.4 cm. (Always remember to measure to the nearest tenth of a centimeter.) Move on to the metric tutor for mass. Alice L. Comisky