Name __________________________________ LAB 3
Making Metric Measurements
Introduction:
The basic unit of length measurement in the metric system is the meter, Volume measurement
is the liter, and temperature is measured in Celsius degrees. This lab will ask you to make a
variety of measurements, record them and then convert them to larger or smaller metric
measurements.
Objectives:
A. Make metric measurements
B. Convert metric measurements
Materials: metric ruler
Procedures and Observations: Use the metric ruler below or use one provided by your
teacher and the diagrams provided to assist you in understanding metric measurements.
1 centimeter (cm) = 10 millimeters (mm)
Part A: Length Measurements
1. width of lab book ______cm = ______ mm
5. shoe length _______ cm = _______ mm
2. height of table
______ cm = ______mm
6. hand span _______ cm = _______mm
3. your height
______ cm = ______mm
7. reach
_______ cm = _______mm
8. pace
________cm = _______mm
4. length of floor tile _____ cm = ______mm
After measuring bones A through E of the hand and foot on the next page, record their lengths in
mm in the data table. Convert the mm measurements to centimeters by moving the decimal point
one place to the left and record that number in the data table.
HAND
FOOT
BONES
MM
A
B
C
D
E
Thumb & Big toe
Small finger & toe
CM
MM
CM
1. A student measured a larva of a mealworm using a metric ruler, as represented in
the diagram below. What is the length of the larva? mm _______ cm _______
2. Base your answer to the question on the diagram below
How many millimeters long is the organism resting on the metric
ruler?
mm______ cm ______
3. The length of the leaf in the drawing is:
A. 1.07cm
C. 10.7cm
B. 1.7cm
D. 107mm
Answer _______
Part B: Measuring Volume in the Metric System
Volume is the amount of space matter takes up. The most commonly used metric
measurements of volume are the liter (L), and the milliliter (ml). Volume is always
measured from the bottom of the meniscus, which is a dip in the water caused by a
combination of the pull of gravity and the attraction that water has to the sides of the
graduated cylinder Look at the diagram below and answer the following questions.
1. How many milliliters are in this graduated cylinder? _____
2. In one complete sentence, describe the procedure that you would use
follow to read the meniscus.______________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
3. In a full sentence, state what a student must do to obtain a volume of 85
milliliters of liquid in this measuring device?________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
MEASURING LIQUID VOLUME WITH A GRADUATED CYLINDER
Purpose: - To develop skill in measuring with a graduated cylinder.
- To use the metric system in measuring volume.
Materials: red, blue, and yellow colored water, 3 beakers, 6 test tubes, test stand,
50- ml graduated cylinder, paper
Procedure: 1. Place a piece of paper under the test tube rack and write the letters A,
B, C, D, E, and F in front of each test tube in the rack.
2. Pour approximately 35 mL of red water into one beaker. Pour
the same amount of blue into another beaker. Repeat for
the yellow water.
3. Into test tube A measure 19 mL of red water.
4. Into test tube C measure 18 mL of yellow water.
5. Into test tube E measure 18 mL of blue water.
6. From test tube C measure 4 mL and pour the 4 mL into test
tube D.
7. From test tube E measure 7 mL and add it to test tube D. Mix.
8. From the beaker of blue water measure 4 mL and pour it into
test tube F. Then from the beaker of red water measure 7 mL
add it to test rube F. Mix.
9. From test tube A measure 8 mL of water and pour it into test B
From test tube C measure 3 mL and add it to test tube B. Mix.
Observations: Complete the data table below by listing the final colors in each test
tube. Give the total amount of water in each tube by measuring directly
and by calculating.
Test
Tube
A
B
C
D
E
F
Color of Water
Actual Amount of
Water
Calculated Amount
of Water
Questions and Conclusion:
1. Convert the actual amounts of water you obtained in each of
the following test tubes to the metric units indicatedA=__________liters
B=__________centiliters
C=__________deciliters
D=__________l
E=_________ kl
F=__________cl
2. If your actual measurement differed from your calculated, account for this difference.
3. Use your textbook or another source to explain the phenomena (meniscus) which
occurs when you pour liquids into a tall tube like container like the graduated cylinder.
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