Earth Science-Metric System Notes
Name:______________________
Pages 22-25
Class Period:______
In science class, we will be using the metric system. The metric system is a system of measurement that is
used by scientists all over the world. Most countries only use the metric system. In the United States, we use
the English system.
1. At one time in England, the standard for an inch was three _____________________ placed end to end.
2. Such units as seen in question number one were not very ______________ because they were based on
objects that varied in size.
3. What are two advantages of using SI measurements?
1.
2.
4. In the metric system, we will be using the following terms: Grams, Liters, Meters, Seconds, and Celsius.
Can you guess which one is used for…
_________________ a.
_________________ b.
_________________ c.
_________________ d.
_________________ e.
Liquid volume
Mass
Length
Temperature
Time
Prefixes
The metric system is based on the number 10, for example there are 10 millimeters in one centimeter, 1000
grams in one kilogram, 100 centimeters in one meter, 100 degrees between the freezing and boiling point of
water, etc. Contrast this with the english system that has 12 inches to 1 foot, 16 ounces to 1 pound, 5,280 feet to
one mile, 180 degrees Fahrenheit between the freezing and boiling point of water, ... egad! All of the units in
the metric system use a common set of prefixes:
Prefix
KiloHecto-
Symbol
(k_)
(h_)
(da_) or
(dk_)
Multiply by
1000
100
BASE
Gram, Liter,
Meter
1
DeciCentiMilli-
(d_)
(c_)
(m_)
0.1
0.01
0.001
Deka-
10
5. Circle the smallest unit…
Kilo-1,000
Centi-1/100th
Milli-1/1000th
Measuring Length:
6. __________________ What is the basic unit of length in the SI system?
7. One meter is the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299 792 458 second (3.37 inches longer than a yard).
Length is measured using a ________________ or metric _____________.
8. Examine the metric ruler below. How many millimeters equal one centimeter? __________
millimeter
One centimenter
Measuring Volume:
9. Define the term volume:
10. The volume of a liquid is often given in ___________. A cubic meter (m3) is equal to ________ liters.
____________________ 11. What tool is used to measure the volume of a liquid?
12. There is an important relationship between the liter and a meter. What is the relationship?
13. To calculate the volume of solid objects with a definite shape, we
would use what equation?
14. How would you calculate the volume of an irregular shaped object
such as a fossil or a rock?
____________________ 15. What is this process called?
____________________ 16. Look at diagram 1. What is the new
volume of the toy T-Rex in liters?
Diagram 1
Measuring Mass and Weight:
17. _______________ is the amount of matter that something is made of. Compare a car to a 747 jumbo jet.
18. The _______________ is the basic SI unit for mass.
_______________ 19. This unit is used to describe the mass of smaller objects.
_______________ 20. What tool is used to measure the mass of an object.
*Note…mass does not change with gravitational force, but weight does. Moon vs. Earth
21. Define the term weight.
22. _______________ What tool is often used to measure weight?
23. Weight varies from place to place…
a. You weigh 1/6 what you weigh on Earth when on the moon.
b. If you went 4000 meters into a mine shaft, what would happen to your…
weight?_______________________________________________________________________
mass?________________________________________________________________________
Measuring Temperature:
24. What is the definition of temperature?
_______________ and _______________ 25. What two scales are often used to measure temperature?
_______________ 26. Which scale in question 25 is the scale that we use in the science lab?
_______________ 27. At what temperature does water freeze in the Celsius scale?
_______________28. At what temperature does water boil in the Celsius scale?
Measuring Density:
Density-is a measure of the amount of matter that occupies a particular
space.
1. Found by using the following equation:
D = M ÷ V (Density = mass ÷ volume)
2. SI unit used:
a. If solid----> g/cm3
b. If liquid---> g/mL
29. Look at diagram 1. If the mass of the toy T-Rex is 3.5 grams, what
is the density of the toy? HINT: First, determine the volume of the toy
and then use the density equation!
Diagram 1