Chapter 1 Introduction to Physical Science
Section 1-3:
Measurement
Why do scientists use a standard measurement
system?
What are the SI units of measurement for length,
mass, volume, density, time, and temperature?
Chapter 1 Introduction to Physical Science
A Standard Measurement System
• Using SI as the standard system of measurement allows
scientists to compare data and communicate with each
other about their results. SI units are based on multiples
of 10. We will be using SI and other metric units.
The Metric System
The SI system is
considered to be the
modern metric system.
It is considered a
universal language for
scientists, doctors, the
military, and most
countries.
The US is one of the
only countries not on
the metric system.
We use The English
System which includes
mph, feet, pounds,
gallons, Farenheit, etc..
Why do you think the US has not switched
to the Metric System?
Chapter 1 Introduction to Physical Science
Length
• The basic unit of length in SI is the meter (m).
• To measure something larger than a meter, scientist
may use kilometers (km), which means one
thousand.
•To measure something
smaller than a meter,
scientists may use
centimeters (cm), centimeans one-hundredth, or
millimeters (mm), millimeans one-thousandth.
Consider a ruler
This ruler shows both Metric and
English units for measuring length
The numbers on the top are
centimeters
The tiny lines within each centimeter
are millimeters.
Notice there are 10 mm in 1 cm.
COUNT THEM!
How many mm are in 3 cm?
The numbers on the bottom are
inches
Notice how much bigger 1 in is
compared to 1 cm
There are 2.54 cm in 1 in
We will practice converting from
Metric to Metric and from Metric to
English later!
WEIGHT vs MASS
Weight:
Mass:
• Your weight is a measure of
the force of gravity on you.
• The force of gravity may be
more or less on other planets
or moons than on Earth.
• You would weigh about onesixth of your Earth weight on
the moon.
• The newton (N) is the SI unit,
the pound (lb) is the English
unit.
• Mass is the measure of the
amount of matter an object
contains.
• Mass is not affected by gravity.
• If you travel to the moon, the
amount of matter in your body
(your mass) will not change.
• Scientists prefer to use mass
rather than weight.
• SI unit of mass is the kilogram
(kg), but we will be using
mostly grams (g) in this class.
• WHY?
Chapter 1 Introduction to Physical Science
Volume
• Volume is the amount of space an object takes
up.
• The SI unit of volume is the cubic meter (m3),
but we will often measure in Liters (L) or
millileters (mL).
Volume of a liquid:
• Graduated cylinder
• mL
• Meniscus- curved surface
at top of liquid, always
record measurements
using bottom of meniscus
Volume of
Rectangular Solid:
• Example- Cereal box
• Volume = Length x
Width x Height
• Remember to multiply
numbers and units, so
units will be cubed
• Example units: cm3
Volume of
Irregular solid:
• Example- Rock
• Submerge object in
water in graduated
cylinder and measure
the displacement of the
water
• Let’s look at the
example in your book
on page 23 now
Density
• Two objects of the same size can have
very different masses. WHY???
• Because different materials have
different densities!
• Density is mass per unit volume
• So Density = Mass/ Volume
• SI unit of density is kg/m3, other
common units are g/cm3 and g/mL
• Since density is made up of 2
measurements, it always has 2 units
Chapter 1 Introduction to Physical Science
Calculating Density
• Suppose that a metal object has a mass of 57 g and a volume
of 21 cm3. Calculate its density.
•
•
•
•
Read and Understand
What information are you given?
Mass of metal object = 57 g
Volume of metal object = 21 cm3
Chapter 1 Introduction to Physical Science
Calculating Density
• Suppose that a metal object has a mass of 57 g and a volume
of 21 cm3. Calculate its density.
•
•
•
•
Plan and Solve
What quantity are you trying to calculate?
The density of the metal object = __
What formula contains the given quantities and the unknown
quantity?
• Density = Mass/Volume
• Perform the calculation.
• Density = Mass/Volume = 57 g/21 cm3 = 2.7 g/cm3
Chapter 1 Introduction to Physical Science
Calculating Density
• Suppose that a metal object has a mass of 57 g and a volume
of 21 cm3. Calculate its density.
• Look Back and Check
• Does your answer make sense?
• The answer tells you that the metal object has a density of 2.7
g/cm3. The answer makes sense because it is the same as the
density of a known metal–aluminum.
Chapter 1 Introduction to Physical Science
Calculating Density
• Practice Problem
• What is the density of a wood block with a mass of 57 g
and a volume of 125 cm3?
• 0.46 g/cm3
Chapter 1 Introduction to Physical Science
Density
• The density of a
substance stays the
same no matter how
large or small a
sample of the
substance is.
• So a gold earring and
a gold necklace will
both have a density
of 19.3 g/cm3
Sink or Float?
• Knowing an object’s density allows you to
predict whether it will sink or float.
• If the object is less dense than the liquid, it
will float.
• If the object is more dense than the liquid, it
will sink.
Problem: Water has a density of
1 g/cm3. Will an object with a
density of 0.7 g/cm3 float or sink in
water?
Chapter 1 Introduction to Physical Science
Time
• The second (s) is the SI unit of time.
Chapter 1 Introduction to Physical Science
Temperature
• Scientists use the Celsius and
Kelvin scales to measure
temperature. The kelvin (K) is
the SI unit of temperature.