The Metric System

The Systeme International

SI

Some Basic Units of Measurement

• Length is measured in meters (m)– how far from point to point, or how tall,

deep, long, wide, around

• Mass is measured in grams (g)– how much matter - STUFF something

has, like how heavy or weight

• Volume is measured in liters (L)– how much space something takes up

Why use the metric system?

• The other name of the metric system is System International (SI) because…..

• All scientists use the metric system to communicate their data.

• Only THREE countries in the world do not use the Metric System!!!!!

• The metric system is based on powers of 10. This makes it easier to use because decimals and 10’s are easier to divide, multiply, add or subtract!

Some Tools used to Measure

• Meter – measure with a metric ruler or tape measure.

• Mass – scale called the triple beam balance

• Volume – for liquid use a graduated cylinder

• Volume – of a solid use a ruler, calculator and the formula for volume for solid objects

King Henry Died Drinking Chocolate Milk

kilo hecto deca deci centi milli

K H D D C M

BASE UNITS AND PREFIXES

Abbreviationsand Meanings

• k – kilo (1000)• h – hecto (100)• da – deca (10)

• d – deci (1/10)• c – centi (1/100)• m – milli (1/1000)

m

g

L

O

- meter

- gram

- liter

Ex. km = kilometer cg = centigrams mL = milliliters

Metric Conversions

Move the decimal to the right from BIGGER to smaller.

Move the decimal to the left from smaller to BIGGER.

Now you are ready to try some conversions on

your own.