Making Measurements in

ScienceThe standard system of measurement

all scientists use is the

METRIC SYSTEM

Measuring Mass Mass is a measurement of the amount

of matter in an object Instrument: Balance (triple beam,

double pan or electronic) Base unit: gram (g) Other common units:

milligram (mg)kilogram (kg)

Which is larger than a gram? Which is smaller?

Measuring Distance Distance is a measurement of how far apart

objects are from each other. Instrument: Meter stick Base unit: meter (m) Other common units:

millimeter (mm) centimeter (cm) kilometer (km)

Which of the units are larger than a meter? Which are smaller?

Measuring Liquid Volume Volume is a measurement of the amount

of space an object or matter occupies Instrument: graduated cylinder or

beaker Which instrument will give you a more

accurate measurement? Base unit: liter (L) Other common unit:

milliliter (mL) Is this smaller or larger than a liter?

Reading the Meniscus When measuring liquid volume, you

must remember to read the meniscus properly

The meniscus is curve of a liquid when placed in a cylinder

Always make your measurement at the middle of the meniscus

What is the measurement in the graduated cylinder?

Measuring Solid Volume

How do you measure the volume of an object that has a regular shape, such as a block of wood?

Instrument: meter stick Formula: Volume = l x w x h Base unit: cubic meter (m3) Other common unit:

cubic cm (cm3) Why is the unit cubed?

Measuring Solid VolumeWater Displacement

Method How do you measure the volume of an object that has a irregular shape, such as a rock?

There are actually 2 methods, both involving water.

Instrument: graduated cylinder or overflow can Base unit: cubic meter (m3) Other common unit:

cubic cm (cm3) Which do you think is more accurate?

Measuring Weight

Weight is a measurement of the force of gravity acting upon an object

Instrument: Spring scale Base unit: Newton (N)

Measuring Temperature

Temperature is the measurement of the energy of the molecules in an object

The higher the temperature, the faster the molecules are moving

Instrument: thermometer Base unit: degrees Celsius (oC) Other unit: Kelvin (K)

Any Questions?