Measurement Lab: Distance
Notes: Why Use Metrics?
1. Universal (most countries use it)
2. Easy to use (only have to multiply or divide by 10)
3. Basic units are related to each other (a 1 cm square box will
hold exactly 1 mL of water which will have a mass of exactly 1
gram)
Basic Metric Units
Distance = meter
Mass = gram
Volume = liter
Prefix Chart:
Kilo
1000
hecta
100
deka
10
Meter
liter
gram
deci
1/10
centi milli
1/100 1/1000
How to use a metric ruler:
1. use cm side
2. each little line = .1 cm
3. line up end of object with the 0 on the ruler
4. Read the length at the other end of the object.
Hands-On Practice: measure the length and width of each object
at your table. Record your measurements on your data sheet.
Write cm after each measurement.
Measurement Lab: Volume
Notes:
Define volume: the amount of space an object takes up
Two ways to measure volume:
1. Use a formula (length x width x height)
2. Use water displacement (put the object in water and see
how much the water goes up)
How to use a graduated cylinder:
1. Place it on a flat surface
2. Look at eye level
3. Measure from the bottom of the meniscus (the bottom
of the curve in the diagram on your paper)
Hands-On Practice:
1. Look at a graduated cylinder.
2. Figure out how much each line represents.
For example:
#1,2,3,4,5 = 1 mL
#6,7 = .5 mL
#8,9 = .2 mL
3. Write down the measurement for each on your
worksheet. Write mL after each number.
Measurement Lab: Mass
Notes: Definitions
Mass: the amount of matter in a substance
Weight: mass + the force of gravity
How to use a balance: highlight or underline important
words in the directions on your paper.
Practice: Read the balances in the pictures and write the
mass indicated next to each picture.
Hands-On Practice:
1. Place an object on the pan.
2. Move the masses until it is balanced.
3. Write down the measurement for each on your
worksheet. Write g after each number.