A Standard Measurement System • Using SI as the standard system of measurement allows

scientists to compare data and communicate with each other about their results. SI units are based on multiples of 10. We will be using SI and other metric units.

The Metric System

The SI system is considered to be the modern metric system.

It is considered a universal language for scientists, doctors, the military, and most countries.

The US is one of the only countries not on the metric system.

We use The English System which includes mph, feet, pounds, gallons, Farenheit, etc..

Why do you think the US has not switched to the Metric System?

Basic Units

• Length = meter (m)• Mass = gram (g)• Volume = Liter (L)• Temperature = degrees celcius (°C)

Rule of Dimensional Analysis

• Larger unit to smaller unit, you multiply by 10 or powers of 10

• Smaller unit to larger unit, you divide by 10 or powers of 10

Kind humans don’t make dogs climb mountains.Kilo hecta deca meter deci centi milli

Liter gram

Let’s look at the table on your worksheet:

Kiloliter(kL)

Hectoliter(hL)

Decaliter(daL)

Liter(L)

Deciliter(dL)

Centiliter(cL)

Milliliter(mL)

0.4683 4.683 46.83 468.3 4,683 46,830 468,300

You will finish the rest later!

Metric Conversions Ladder Method

T. Trimpe 2008 http://sciencespot.net/

KILO1000Units

HECTO100

Units

DEKA10

UnitsDECI

0.1Unit

CENTI0.01Unit

MILLI0.001Unit

MetersLitersGrams

Ladder Method

How do you use the “ladder” method?

1st – Determine your starting point.

2nd – Count the “jumps” to your ending point.

3rd – Move the decimal the same number of jumps in the same direction.

4 km = _________ m

12

3

How many jumps does it take?

Starting Point Ending Point

4.1

__.2

__.3

__. = 4000 m

Try these conversions using the ladder method.

1000 mg = _______ g 1 L = _______ mL 160 cm = _______ mm

14 km = _______ m 109 g = _______ kg 250 m = _______ km

Conversion Practice

Compare using <, >, or =.

56 cm 6 m 7 g 698 mg

1.0 1000 1600

14,000 0.109 0.250

< >

Why use Graphs?• Because of their visual nature, graphs can reveal

patterns or trends that words and data tables cannot.• Scientists commonly use bar graphs, circle graphs, and

line graphs.

The Importance of Graphs • Line graphs are used to display

data to show how one variable changes in response to another variable. In this experiment, the responding variable is the time it takes for the water to boil. The manipulated variable is the volume of water in the pot.

Plotting a Line Graph:•