How do we measure things in science?

•
Length
(measures the distance from one point to another)
–
•
– Meter stick/ruler

Meter sticks

This lizard is 3 meters long!
(a meter is about 39 inches)

Volume
(measures the amount of space an object takes up )
• Base Unit
– Liter
• (liquids)
– Cubic centimeters
• (solids)
• Tool
– Graduated
Cylinder (liquids)
– Ruler (solids)

Graduated Cylinders
Measure the volume of liquids

Three steps to reading a graduated cylinder
1. Place the graduated cylinder on level surface
2. Read at eye level
3. Read from the bottom of the meniscus

Measuring volume of a solid
This solid is three cubic meters in volume. L x W x H = volume

Formula for finding the volume of a rectangular solid
Length x Width x Height
L x W x H

Finding the volume of an irregular object
1. Place enough water in a graduated cylinder to cover the object. Record the volume.
2. Add the object and record the new volume.
3. Find the difference between the two volumes and that is the volume of the irregular object.

Mass
(measures the amount of matter in an object)
•
–
•

Electronic balance used to measure mass

Steps before using a balance

This stuff is supposed to give you more muscle mass

•
Temperature
(measures heat and chill)
–
•
– Thermometer

Both Celsius and Farenheit scales are seen here. In science we do not use degrees
Farenheit
.

This man is in a freezing cold environment as can be seen by his frozen hair and beard. He is sitting in a natural hot spring that is very warm at the same time!

Density
• How closely the molecules of an object are packed together.
• Density can be calculated if the mass and volume are known
• Density = mass divided by volume

Measuring density using an electric balance for mass and a graduated cylinder for volume.

Less dense liquids float on more dense liquids in this density column

Weight of an object
• The mass of an object multiplied by the force of gravity.
• Weight changes if gravity changes.
(like on the moon)
• Mass does not change on the moon.

Your weight will be less on the moon, but your mass does not change