• Volume – amount of space occupied by an object

• Length – distance between two points• Mass – amount of matter in an object• Time – period between two events• Temperature – measure of the energy

particles have

Measuring Basics

Measuring … … using Significant Figures!!

• Significant figures is used to show the accuracy in a measurement:

Accuracy depends on the smallest increment shown on measuring tool (meter stick, balance, etc.)

The last decimal place (digit) is an estimateThe more decimals places (digits), the more

accurate that measurement is

Measuring

• 4 sided meter stick example

The 3 steps to measuring with significant figures

Think about a number

642.351

Hundreds, Tens, Ones, Tenths, Hundredths, Thousandths

1. Determine the smallest increment on the measuring tool

1. Hundreds

2. Tens

3. Ones

4. Tenths

5. Hundredths

6. thousands

What decimal place does each small line represent?

2. Determine the next decimal place beyond that smallest increment(Your measurement will be recorded to this decimal place)

1. Hundreds

2. Tens

3. Ones

4. Tenths

5. Hundredths

6. thousands

What is the next decimal place?

3. Record the measurement, estimating one decimal place past the smallest increment shown What is the proper measurement?

1. 824 cm

2. 82.4 cm

3. 8.24 cm

4. 8.240 cm

5. 82 cm

6. 8.2 cm

The proper measurement:The Pencil is more than 8.2 cm long …

… But less than 8.3 cm long

… so we estimate to the next decimal place.

8.24cmThe decimal places recorded shows accuracy of the measurement tool

The measurement recorded is to the hundredths place, so we know the smallest increment was to the tenths

Volume

Graduated Cylinder

Meniscus – read measurements at bottom of meniscus

? 7

Measuring VolumeYou always estimate one decimal place PAST the smallest increment shown

Volume?

1. 50.2 mL

2. 50.28 mL

3. 52.8 mL

4. 52.80 mL

5. I have no idea

Length

Meter stick

or

Ruler

Length?

1. 8 mm

2. 8.0 mm

3. 8.00 mm

4. 80 mm

Now for the balance!!!

Mass?

1. 602005.72

2. 200605.72

3. 260.572

4. 265.72

5. 265.720

6. 265.7

Temperature

º C = (º F - 32.0 º)

º F = (º C) + 32.0 º

K = º C + 273

Fahrenheit (º F ), Celsius (º C ), Kelvin (K)

5

9

9

5

If you need extra help!

Basic measuring practice

Measurement Task Answer (units)

Volume Volume of water in small graduated cylinder

mL

More Volume Volume of water in large graduated cylinder

mL

Mass Mass of pen g

Length Length of pen

cm

Temperature Temperature of water in graduated cylinder

ºC

Images Cited• www2.oregonscientific.com• http://www.labrecyclers.com/pics/ohaus_trip.jpg• http://www.bourne.k12.ma.us/Class%20Links/Smith/Smith/images/tripple%20beam%20balance.jpg• http://www.northernbrewer.com/pics/fullsize/lab-thermometer.jpg