Measurement—KEY
Mr. Switzer
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Hour____________________
Standard
6.M.2.1
6.M.2.3
6.M.2.4
Obj # Objective Description
1
Use and estimate Metric (SI)
measurement units and use tools
for length, volume, weight (mass),
temperature, time
6.M.2.1
2
6.M.2.1
6.M.2.3
6.M.2.4
3
6.M.2.1
4
6.M.2.1
5
7
Use dimensional analysis to
convert between metric (SI) units
for length, volume, weight,
Use and estimate English
Customary System measurement
units and use tools for length,
volume, weight, temperature
Use dimensional analysis to
convert between English
Customary Units
Use dimensional analysis to
convert between English
Customary Units and Metric (SI)
Units
Write an ACE paragraph
Key Points
Length and perimeter
o Meters—ruler, meter stick
Volume
o Liters—graduated cylinders, beakers
Weight/mass
o Gram—Triple beam balance
Temperature
o Celsius and Kelvin--Thermometer
Time
o Seconds, minutes, hours, days, years—
stopwatch
milli-, centi-, deci-, deka-, Hecto-, KiloTeaspoon, Tablespoon, Cup, Pint, Quart,
Gallon
Inch, foot, yard, mile
Ounce, pound, ton
Cup, Pint, Quart, Gallon
Inch, foot, yard, mile
Ounce, pound, ton
Length
Volume
Weight
Temperature (not dimensional analysis)
*see ACE+ rubric
Standards
6.M.2.1 Apply various measurement techniques and tools, units of measure, and degrees of accuracy to find accurate rational number representations for length, liquid, weight,
perimeter, temperature, and time.
6.M.2.3 Select and use strategies to estimate measurements including angle measure and capacity.
6.M.2.4Select and justify the selection of measurement tools, units of measure, and degrees of accuracy appropriate to the given situation.
Key Questions For Measurement Unit





What units do scientists use to measure length? What scientific tool do scientists use to measure length?
What is the definition of mass? What units do scientists use to measure mass? What scientific tool do scientists use to measure mass?
What is the definition of volume? What units do scientists use to measure volume? What scientific tool do scientists use to measure
volume?
How do you properly measure length using a ruler? How do you properly measure mass using a triple beam balance? How do you
properly measure volume using a graduated cylinder?
When should you use a particular metric unit to measure length, mass, or volume? (i.e. when to use milligrams instead of grams or meters
instead of centimeters)
1
Measurement—KEY
Mr. Switzer
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Hour____________________
CONVERSION CHEAT SHEET
Time Conversions
 1 minute (min) = 60
seconds (s)
 1 hour (h) = 60 minutes
(min)
 1 day = 24 hours
2
Measurement—KEY
Mr. Switzer
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Hour____________________
Vocabulary Words:
Word
REVIEW: length
NEW: Mass, weight, perimeter, volume, temperature
Mass
Weight
Length
Draw the
tool
scientists
use to
measure
A scale measures weight.
A ruler measures length.
Sentence
A triple-beam balance
measures mass.
Definition
Mass is how much material
something is made of
The force that gravity pulls on
the mass. Weight is related to
mass.
Length is a distance.
Word
Perimeter
Volume
Temperature
A measuring tape measures
perimeter.
Perimeter is the distance
around something.
A graduated cylinder
measures volume.
Volume is the amount of
space something takes up.
A thermometer measures
temperature.
The hotness or coldness of
something.
Draw the
tool
scientists
use to
measure
Sentence
Definition
Metric Key Question: Why should the U.S.
change to the metric system? Or not?
SI Units
September 6, 2010, http://www.pfscience.com/2010/09/si-units/
3
Measurement—KEY
Mr. Switzer
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Hour____________________
In a science lab, we measure everything using SI units. What is SI? SI stands for the International System of
Units, also just called the metric system. We say “SI” because we abbreviated SI from the French Système
International d'unités. In the United States, most people still use the English Units (inches, Fahrenheit, etc).
Students often ask why we don’t just stick to using English measurements if everyone already knows how to
use them. Actually there is nothing “wrong” with using English measurements except that the entire science community
and most of the world uses the SI measurements. It makes communicating about scientific work more difficult if the
units are not the same.
Why would scientists choose the SI measurements? It is because SI units are based on the number 10. For
example…
 Ten millimeters makes one centimeter.
 Ten deciliters make one liter.
 One thousand grams makes one kilogram.
Everything is divisible by the number 10, so to convert from one unit to another, it is simply a matter of moving the
decimal place instead of having to do math calculations. The SI units are actually a more simple and elegant way of
measuring.This is why you have to learn SI units, not because science teachers think it is fun to torture students. :-)
SI Units you should know:
 Length = meters (m)
 Mass = kilograms (kg) and grams (g)
 Time = second (s)
 Temperature = degree Celcius (°C)
System International (SI), or Metric Measurements
Measurement
Tool
Length
Ruler, meter stick
Metric Key Question: Why should the U.S.
change to the metric system? Or not?
Units
Kilometers (km)
Meters (m)
Estimate
The height of a doorknob
is about 1 meter.
4
Measurement—KEY
Mr. Switzer
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Hour____________________
Volume
Mass
Graduated cylinder,
beaker
Triple-beam balance
Temperature
Thermometer
Time
Stopwatch
Centimeters (cm)
Millimeters (mm)
Liters (l)
Milliliters (ml)
Grams (g)
Kilograms (kg)
Degrees Celsius ( C)
1 liter is about the size of
a large Gatorade bottle
A baseball bat weighs
about 1 kilogram
37 C is human body
temp
20 C is room temp
0 C water freezes
100 C water boils
Seconds (s)
Minutes (min)
Hours (h)
The Metric Staircase:
King Henry Died, Drinking Chocolate Milk
Metric Key Question: Why should the U.S.
change to the metric system? Or not?
5
Measurement—KEY
Mr. Switzer
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Hour____________________
Refrain:
Oh, metric. You’re the one.
You make measuring way more fun.
Based on ten. Let’s start again
And go the metric way.
Once there was a bunch of giants
Kilo was their name.
They were all so huge and tall
And no two were the same.
Now, Kilogram, he weighed a lot
Kilometer was long.
Kiloliter was big and wet.
Each one a thousand strong.
There also were some tiny elves
Who had the name of Milli.
One one thousandth—they’re so small
They’re just tiny and silly!
Now milligrams, they don’t weigh much.
And millimeters are short.
A milliliter’s a tiny drop
Of liquid they report.
So, grams you may have noticed
Are things you can weigh.
Length is meter, liquid’s liter.
That’s the metric way.
Math Skills Review:
Texas A&M University (paraphrased)
6
Measurement—KEY
Mr. Switzer
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Hour____________________
Dimensional Analysis is a problem-solving method that uses the fact that any number can be multiplied by one
without changing its value. It is a useful technique. Conversion factors may be made from any two terms that describe
the same "amounts" of what we are interested in. For example, we know that
1000 millimeters = 1 meter
We can make two conversion factors from this information:
Write two conversion factors, if you know that 1 hour = 60 minutes.
1).
2.)
Now, we can solve some problems. Set up each problem by:
1. Writing down what you need to find with a question mark.
2. Then set it equal to the information that you are given.
3. The problem is solved by multiplying by the conversion factors so that only the desired units are present at
the end.
(1) How many millimeters are in 6 meters?
1. ? mm
2. ?mm = 6 m
3. (see below)
How many millimeters are in 2 meters?
(show your work)
(2) How many meters are there in 2500 mm
7
Measurement—KEY
Mr. Switzer
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Hour____________________
You may use dimensional analysis for any conversion (even with English Customary Units), as long as you know the
conversion factor.
(3) If you know that 4 quarts = 1 gallon, then how many quarts is there in 9 gallons?
You can also string many unit factors together.
(4) How many seconds are in 2.0 years? (hint: 365 days = 1 year; 24 hr = 1 day; 60 minutes =1 hr; 60 seconds = 1
min)
How many seconds are there in one day? (show your work)
(5). Convert 50.0 mL to liters. (This is a very common conversion 1 Liter = 1000 milliliters.)
Convert 2 quarts to cups (1 pint = 2 cups; 1 quart = 2 pints)
English Customary Measurements
Measurement
Tool
Length
Ruler, yard stick
Units
Miles (mi)
Yards (yd)
Estimate
Your foot is about 1 foot
long.
8
Measurement—KEY
Mr. Switzer
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Hour____________________
Volume
Measuring cups,
spoons, gallons
Weight
Scale
Temperature
Thermometer
Time
Stopwatch
Feet (ft)
Inches (in.)
Gallons (g)
Quarts (qt)
Pints (pt)
Cups (c)
Pounds (lb)
Ounces (oz)
Ton (T)
Degrees Fahrenheit ( F)
A large jug of milk is one
gallon
98.6 F is human
body temp
68 F is room temp
32 F water freezes
212 F water boils
Seconds (s)
Minutes (min)
Hours (h)
Customary Conversions (you must memorize these):
Length:
12 inches =
3 feet =
5280 feet =
1 foot
1 yard
1 mile
Volume:
8 fluid ounces = 1 cup
2 cups =
1 pint
2 pints =
1 quart
4 quarts =
1 gallon
Weight:
16 ounces =
2000 pounds =
1 pound
1 ton
Time:
60 seconds =
24 hours =
365 days =
1 hour
1 day
1 year
How about how much does
a gallon of water weigh (in
pounds)? 8 pounds
How do I read a ruler?
http://www.onlineconversion.com/faq_05.htm
9
Measurement—KEY
Mr. Switzer
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Hour____________________
Terminology
A ruler used to be called a rule, and rulers would be rules. Today, the more commonly found term is ruler. The dictionary defines
both the term rule and ruler, so either can be used, and for this document I will only use the term ruler.
Metric Rulers
Metric rulers are fairly easy to read. They deal with centimeters and millimeters only. You wont have to worry much about fractions.
Take a look at the following Metric Ruler.
The larger lines with numbers are centimeters, and the smallest lines are millimeters. Since millimeters are 1/10th of a
centimeter, if you measure 7 marks after a centimeter, it is 1.7 centimeters long.
English Rulers
English rulers, are much more difficult to read. Mostly because they deal with fractions, which are a bit more dificult to learn.
Take a look at the following English Rulers.
A ruler marked in 8ths. Every mark is 1/8th of an inch.
A ruler marked in 16ths. Every mark is 1/16th of an inch.
What is the length of the square below? (to the nearest 0.1 cm and to the neareast 1/8 inch)
_____3.9__________cm_____1 ½ _____inches
inches
How to Use a Triple Beam Balance
September 7, 2010 By Science Teacher Leave a Comment
10
Measurement—KEY
Mr. Switzer
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Hour____________________
http://www.pfscience.com/2010/09/how-to-use-a-triple-beam-balance/
The triple beam balance is one of the most basic pieces of lab equipment. It measures smaller mass quantities, and by that I mean
something that you could pick up with your hands without a whole lot of effort. There is a limit to how much the triple beam
balance can measure.
The triple beam balance is simple to use. Even still, students often make mistakes both in using the balance and in reading
measurements.
Measurement unit: gram
1 gram = 1/1000 kilogram
To use the triple beam balance:
1. Tare the balance first,
which means to set the balance to “zero.”
is also called “zeroing” the balance. Scoot
the riders (the blocks that slide) from
of the three beams to the farthest left
before doing anything else. Look at the
pointer on the scale. If it is not lined up
zero, then turn the adjustment knob just
beneath the pan until the pointer is even
the line.
This
all
each
first
with
with
Turn the adjustment knob until the pointer lines up with the 0 on the scale. This scale still
needs more adjustment.
2. Place the specimen to mass on center of the pan.
3. Starting with the largest capacity beam (500 g), move the 500 g rider to the right to the first
notch which causes the pointer to drop, then, move it back one notch, causing the pointer to
rise.
4. Repeat procedure with the 100 g rider.
5. Slide the 10 g rider to the position which brings the pointer to rest at zero (pointer even with
line)
How to read the triple beam balance: Add up each of the numbers on the rider pointers, and that is the mass of the specimen (in
grams).
11
Measurement—KEY
Mr. Switzer
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Hour____________________
Specimen mass = 0 g + 100 g + 2.2 g = 102.2 g
What is the mass of the following specimen?________________536.8g___________________________________
Measurement Test Study Guide:
12
Measurement—KEY
Mr. Switzer
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Hour____________________
Objective 1: Use and estimate Metric (SI) measurement units, and use tools for length, volume, weight (mass),
temperature, time
Name the tool(s) and
units you would use
to measure the
following with the
metric system
- length
- volume
- mass
- time
- temperature
1. Length
a. Tool(s):____ruler, meter stick___________________________________
b. Unit(s): meters
2. Volume
a. Tool(s):__Graduated cylinder, beaker___________________________
b. Unit(s):________________________Liters________________________
3. Mass
a. Tool(s):__________Triple-beam balance____________________________
b. Unit(s):___________grams, kilograms______________________________
4. Time
a. Tool(s):________stopwatch, clock________________________________
b. Unit(s):___________Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, years,____
5. Temperature
a. Tool(s):_________Thermometer_________________________________
b. Unit(s):__________Degrees celsius______________________________
What is the mass of
the object on this
triple-beam balance
(grams)?
(6) The mass is ___102.2________g.
How wide is coin (in
13
Measurement—KEY
Mr. Switzer
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Hour____________________
centimeters)?
(7) The coin is _____3____________cm wide.
Write the appropriate
metric unit to use for
measuring the
following:
-length of a car
-length of a pencil
-distance from New
York to Kentucky
Name one thing that
weighs about one
gram.
Name the following
temperatures in
Celsius
-water boiling
-water freezing
-room temperature
8. You would measure the length of a car in ______meters______________________
9. You would measure the length of a pencil in __________centimeters_________________
10. You would measure the distance from New York to Kentucky in
_______kilometers_______________.
11. One dollar bill, one paperclip, one small thumb tac
12. Water boils at ________100 Degrees Celsius_______________________________
13. Water freezes at_________0 degrees celsius_____________________________
14. Room Temperature is about _____________20 degrees Celsius________________
14
Measurement
“Fight Apathy”
Name:
Hour: _______________ Mr. Switzer
Date: ________________
Objective 2: Use dimensional analysis to convert between metric (SI) units for length, volume,
weight (mass)
4500 milliliters is how
many Liters?
Example:
2.5 meters is how many
centimeters? (show your
work)
(15).
2 kilograms is how many
grams? (show your work)
(16).
250 cm
2000 g
Objective 3: Use and estimate English Customary System measurement units and use tools for
length, volume, weight, temperature
Name the units you would
17. Length
use to measure the
a. Unit(s):___________Inches, feet, yards, miles_____________
following with the English
Customary System
18. Volume
- length
a. Unit(s):__________cups, pints, quarts, gallons,_____________
- volume
- Weight
19. Weight
- temperature
a. Unit(s):________Pounds, ounces, tons___________________
Circle the correct unit
that you would use to
measure the following.
20. Temperature
a. Unit(s):_________Degrees Fahrenheit____________________
21. To measure the volume of gasoline in your car’s gas tank:
- Gallons, Fluid Ounces, cups, teaspoons
22. To measure the width of a book:
- Inches, feet , miles
23. To measure the weight of a bag of chips from the vending
machine
- Ounces, pounds, tons
15
Measurement
“Fight Apathy”
Name:
Hour: _______________ Mr. Switzer
Date: ________________
About how wide is the
pyramid at its widest
part? (note: write your
answer to the nearest
half inch).
24.
Estimate the weight of
a watermelon—circle
the correct answer.
At what temperature
(Fahrenheit) does
water freeze and boil?
inches wide.
The pyramid is __1 1/2_______________
25. A watermelon weight about
- 9 pounds, 9 ounces, 9 grams, 9 tons
26. Water freezes at _____32 Degrees Fahrenheit___________________.
28. Water boils at ________212 Degrees Fahrenheit_________________.
Objective 4: Use dimensional analysis to convert between English Customary Units
24 ounces is how many
pounds? (use the
example above #15 to
review dimensional
analysis)
3 feet is how many
inches?
29.)
1.5 pounds
30.)
36 inches
16
Measurement
“Fight Apathy”
Name:
Hour: _______________ Mr. Switzer
Date: ________________
Objective 5: Use dimensional analysis to convert between English Customary Units and Metric (SI)
Units
What is 0 degrees
Celsius in Fahrenheit?
31.
32 Degrees Fahrenheit
Convert 3 pounds to GRAMS
(hint:
1 pound = 0.45 kilograms
and
1 kilogram = 1000 grams)
32.
The correct answer for 5
gallons converted to liters is:
(hint: there is 3.8 liters in one
gallon)
33.
1360.6 gram7
18.9 Liters
17