Unit 2 Lesson 2
Scientific Tools
&
Measurements
1. Check T or F to show whether you think each statement is
true or false.
T
F
__ __ A lab journal or notebook is
considered a scientific tool.
__ __ Scientists worldwide use the same
units of measurement.
__ __ It is sometimes appropriate for
scientists to estimate measurements.
__ __ Precision describes how close a measured
value comes to the true value of the
measurement.
1. Check T or F to show whether you think each statement is
true or false.
T
F
X __ A lab journal or notebook is
considered a scientific tool.
X __ Scientists worldwide use the same
units of measurement.
X __ It is sometimes appropriate for
scientists to estimate measurements.
X __ Precision describes how close a measured
value comes to the true value of the
measurement.
2. Describe how the scientist might use this
electron microscope for a scientific
investigation.
2. Describe how the scientist might use this
electron microscope for a scientific
investigation.
The scientist may be studying an object to small
to see with just her eyes.
3. Use the context clues to write your own
definition for the term standard.
3. Use the context clues to write your own
definition for the term standard.
Something that has been defined as a value for
comparison.
4. Define each of the following:
Measurement
Scientific notation
Accuracy
Precision
4. Define each of the following:
Measurement: A description that includes a
number and a unit.
Scientific notation: A short way of representing
very large or very small numbers.
Accuracy: Description of how close a
measurement is to the true value of the
quantity measured.
Precision: The exactness of a measurement.
5. What is the difference between a description
and a measurement?
5. What is the difference between a description
and a measurement?
A description is a statement that explains an
observation .
A measurement is a description that includes a
number and a unit.
6. Which units of measurement is this recipe
(page 78) are not standard?
6. Which units of measurement is this recipe
(page 78) are not standard?
Dash and pinch
7. Omit but read page 78.
8. Using the table on page 80, identify the
measurement associated with each tool in
the image below.
A.
B.
8. Using the table on page 80, identify the
measurement associated with each tool in
the image below.
A. Mass
B. Time
9. As you read, underline the prefix that means
“1/1000”.
9. As you read, underline the prefix that means
“1/1000”.
Milli
10.The table below (page 81) shows how
prefixes can be used with the unit for length.
Complete the table by filling in the blanks.
Prefix
Symbol
Number of Meters
kilometer
km
hm
100
decameter
dam
10
millimeter
mm
0.001
10.The table below (page 81) shows how
prefixes can be used with the unit for length.
Complete the table by filling in the blanks.
Prefix
Symbol
Number of Meters
kilometer
km
1,000
hectometer
hm
100
decameter
dam
10
millimeter
mm
0.001
11. The diameter of a human red blood cell is
0.000006 m. Write the diameter is scientific
notation.
11. The diameter of a human red blood cell is
0.000006 m. Write the diameter is scientific
notation.
6 x 10-6
12. Draw a fourth set of horseshoes that
represents low accuracy and low precision.
12. Draw a fourth set of horseshoes that represents
low accuracy and low precision.
U
I
U
U
U
U
13. Choose an everyday object, and design a
method to measure that object that is both
accurate and precise. What tool or tools would
you use? Explain your answer.
13.Choose an everyday object, and design a
method to measure that object that is both
accurate and precise. What tool or tools
would you use? Explain your answer.
Measure a board using a tape measure. This
would be able to measure both length and
width accurately than a meter stick which has a
limited length.
14. What is the difference between a
compound light microscope and an electron
microscope?
14. What is the difference between a
compound light microscope and an electron
microscope?
A compound light microscope uses lenses to
magnify objects.
An electron microscope uses electrons to
produce images of those objects.
15. List the tools in this image (page 84) that are
necessary for performing an experiment.
15. List the tools in this image (page 84) that are
necessary for performing an experiment.
Pipette, test tube, test tube rack, beakers,
pencil, notebook, and goggles.
16. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners
use electromagnetic waves to generate images
of the inside of a person’s body. How might MRI
technology be used to investigate how the brain
works?
16. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners
use electromagnetic waves to generate images
of the inside of a person’s body. How might MRI
technology be used to investigate how the brain
works?
An MRI scanner produces images of the brain’s
structure that otherwise could not be seen
without surgery.
17. The SI unit for mass is the kilogram/newton.
17. The SI unit for mass is the kilogram/newton.
18. The SI unit for time is the hour/second.
18. The SI unit for time is the hour/second.
19. A series of lenses is used to magnify small
objects is a compound light
microscope/scanning electron microscope.
19. A series of lenses is used to magnify small
objects is a compound light
microscope/scanning electron microscope.
20. A common container in the laboratory used
for holding small samples of a liquid is a hot
plate/test tube.
20. A common container in the laboratory used
for holding small samples of a liquid is a hot
plate/test tube.
21. Computers may be used at every stage/only
to calculate results of a scientific investigation.
21. Computers may be used at every stage/only
to calculate results of a scientific investigation.
22. A sensor that connects directly to a
computer to collect data is called a
calculator/probe ware.
22. A sensor that connects directly to a
computer to collect data is called a
calculator/probe ware.
23. Why are tools and technology important fo
scientific investigations?
23. Why are tools and technology important fo
scientific investigations?
Tools and technology allow scientists to conduct
research that they would not otherwise to able
to conduct.
Scientists use tools and technology to gather,
record, analyze, and share their data.
Lesson Review
Draw a line to connect the following terms to
their definitions.
1. Precision
A. Closeness to the true value
2. Accuracy
B. Description with a unit
3. Measurement C. Way to write very large or
small numbers
4. Scientific
D. The repeatability of a
notation
measurement
1. D (precision is the repeatability of a
measurement)
2. A (accuracy is the closeness to the true value)
3. B (measurement is a description with a unit)
4. C (scientific notation is a way to write very
large or small numbers)
5. Which of the following is not an advantage o
using SI units?
A. Allows scientists to compare observations and
results.
B. Can compare measurements make years apart.
C. Based on the number 5, which is easy to use in
calculations.
D. Uses prefixes to express measurements that are
small or large.
5. Which of the following is not an advantage o
using SI units?
A. Allows scientists to compare observations and
results.
B. Can compare measurements make years apart.
C. Based on the number 5, which is easy to use in
calculations.
D. Uses prefixes to express measurements that are
small or large.
6.
A.
B.
C.
D.
What is 0.003 in scientific notation?
10 x 103
3 x 10-3
3 x 103
10 x 3-10
6.
A.
B.
C.
D.
What is 0.003 in scientific notation?
10 x 103
3 x 10-3
3 x 103
10 x 3-10
7.
A.
B.
C.
D.
What is the SI unit for temperature?
The kelvin
Degrees Celsius
Degrees Fahrenheit
The newton
7.
A.
B.
C.
D.
What is the SI unit for temperature?
The kelvin
Degrees Celsius
Degrees Fahrenheit
The newton
8. Name the type of measurement the student
in the photo on page 87 is making.
8. Name the type of measurement the student
in the photo on page 87 is making.
Volume
9. The prefix for the measurement the student
is making in this photo is milli-. What does millimean?
9. The prefix for the measurement the student
is making in this photo is milli-. What does millimean?
1/1000
10. The student in this photo measured volume
of water as 80.0 mL. Is her measurement
accurate? Explain.
10. The student in this photo measured volume
of water as 80.0 mL. Is her measurement
accurate? Explain.
Her measurement is accurate because it is very
close to the actual volume of the water.
11. How might the student’s recorded data
differ if she were simply describing the liquid
instead of measuring it?
11. How might the student’s recorded data
differ if she were simply describing the liquid
instead of measuring it?
She would describe the liquid’s properties, such
as color, rather than a numerical value.