Metric System

Why do Scientist’s Use? So everyone uses same system Makes conversions easy Metric system uses SI units Important in business and in trades

Measuring Length The SI unit for measuring

length is the meter (M) Meter stick Volume and mass are

based on length

Measuring Volume

The SI unit for measuring volume is the liter (L)

A cube 1 cm x 1cm x 1cm = 1ml

1 cm3 = 1 ml 1 cm

1 cm

1 cm

Measuring Mass

The SI unit used for measuring mass is the gram (G)

1 nickel = 2.5 grams Standardized 1ml of water = 1 g

SI Base UnitsSI Base Units

Base Quantity SI Base UnitName Symbol

Length Meter mMass Gram gVolume Liter lTemperature Kelvin K

To Remember Prefixes (kilo-) means 1000 (hecto-) 100 (deka-) 10 (BASE UNIT-meter, liter, gram) (deci-) means 1/10 0.1 (centi-) means 1/100 0.01 (milli-) means 1/1000 0.001 King Henry Doesn’t Usually Drink

Chocolate Milk

Steps

Each step is ten times as much or 1/10 as much as the step next to it

1 km = 10 hm = 100 dam = 1000 m

OR

1 mm = .01 cm =.00 1 dm = .0001 m

Metric Conversion StepsKilo-k

Hecto-h

BASEUNITM g or L

Deka-dk

Deci-d

Centi-c

Millii-m

Example 100 cents is a dollar

Convert by moving decimal

1. Find the initial unit, put finger there2. Find the final unit3. Move finger right or left and count 4. Move decimal point the same direction as

the finger

Kilo –k

Hectoh

Deka-dk

Deci-d

Centi-C

Milli-m

Meter, Liter, gram

Convert by moving decimalKilo –k

Hectoh

Deka-da

Deci-d

Centi-C

Milli-m

Meter, Liter, gram

1.6 km = _________ dm (hint 6 = 6.0)

2.6km = _________ m

3.850 mg = _______g (hint 850 = 850.0)

4.645 cL = ______ hL

5.97 dam = _______km

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