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 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?