Measurement
Length, Volume, Time, Mass, Temperature
Measurement
What is it measuring?
What do we
use to
measure?
What is its
standard unit
Length
The distance between 2 points
Ruler, Meter Cm, mm
Stick
Volume
The amount of space an object
takes up
Liquid:
Graduated
Cylinder,
Dry: ruler,
meter stick
mL, cm3, m3
Time
How long something occurs
Stopwatch,
clock
hours/minute
s/seconds
Mass
The amount of matter in an
object
Scale,
Grams,
Triple Beam Kilograms (g,
Balance
kg)
Temperature
The amount heat
Thermomet
er
Celsius, %,
Kelvin
What We Measure
When we observe things, there are several
things we can measure.
•Length- the distance between two points.
•Volume- the amount of space something occupies.
•Time- how long it takes for something to happen.
•Mass - the amount of matter in an object.
•Temperature- the amount of heat energy in an object.
The Standard
In the past, people used body parts (feet,
arm length etc) to determine the length of
something.
In our class, if each asked for an "arm
length" of liquorice, who would get more?
Is this a fair way to measure?
To measure we must have a standard, or
something to compare it to.
A standard is an exact quantity people agree
to use for comparison.
The Standard Meter
Scientists needed a system that would
provide them with an exact system of
weights and measurements.
During the 18th century scientists
measured the distance from the Earth’s
equator to the north pole, and divided
it into 10,000,000 parts.
These parts were the length of the
standard meter!
Equipment Used
We need equipment that
has these units on it to
allow us to measure things.
We use...
Length- metric ruler
Volume- measuring cylinder
Time- clock or stopwatch
Mass- triple beam balance
Temperature- thermometer
Which picture is which
equipment?
Standard Units
So what are the standard units we use for each?
Length- meter
Volume- ml, cm3
Time- seconds
Mass- grams
Temperature- degrees Celsius
Metric System
Most of the world uses the metric system
where our units all convert between each other
in multiples of 10
E.g.
1 centimeter = 10 millimeters
1 meter= 100 centimeters
1 kilometer = 1000 meters
This is much simpler than the Old English system where
different amounts of one unit fitted into another.
The chart on the following slide shows a comparison for
your interest.
Length
Length is the distance between two points.
We use a metric ruler to measure length.
The standard unit of length we use is the meter (m).
1 meter= 100 centimeters
1 meter= 1000 millimeters
1000 meters= 1 kilometer
Measuring Length
Line up the ruler with what you are measuring
Make sure point A of the object sits at zero
Read the value on the ruler at point B
What is the length of this black bar
Volume
Volume is the amount of space
something occupies.
We use a measuring cylinder to
measure volume.
(or a metric ruler if it is a standard
solid)
The standard unit of volume we use is
the milliliter (ml) or cubic centimeter
(cm3).
1ml = 1cm3
Measuring Solid Volume
To measure the volume
of a regular solid,
measure the length x
width x height.
E.g. Box on right is
5cm x 4cm x 10cm =
200cm3
The units will be cubic
centimeters or cm3.
Measuring Liquid Volume
In a measuring
cylinder, the liquid
surface curves
downward to form a
meniscus.
To measure
accurately, read the
scale at eye level at
the lowest part of
the meniscus.
The units will be in
milliliter or ml
Temperature
Temperature is the
amount of heat energy in
an object.
We use a measuring
thermometer to measure
temperature.
The standard unit of
temperature we use is the
degrees celcius.
In a thermometer, the
liquid mercury expands
with rising temperature
so moves up inside the
tube.