Metric System Notes
Integrated Science 1
Name:
Period:
¢ Background
The system of measurement used today by scientists in all countries of the world is called the metric
system. The metric system is a _____________ system, meaning it is based on the number ten and
________________ of ten, such as 100 and 1000. This handout will act as your reference to the metric
system throughout Integrated Science 1 and 2.
¢ Units
Length (L)
Length is the ________________ from one point to another. The basic unit of length in the metric system
is a meter (m). A meter is slightly longer than a _____________.
1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm)
1 meter (m) = 1,000 millimeters (mm)
1 meter (m) = 1,000,000 micrometers (µm)
1,000 meters = 1 kilometer (km)
1 centimeter = 10 millimeters (mm)
[typical tool used = meter stick/_____________]
Skill to remember: Line up the end of the object with the ____________ line (at the zero end) of the
meter stick/ruler.
Volume (V)
Volume is the amount of _____________ an object takes up. The basic unit of volume in the metric
system is the liter (l).
1 liter (l) = 1,000 milliliters (ml) = 1000 cubic centimeters (cm3)
[typical tool used = graduated ________________]
Skill to remember: Lower eyes to level of the top of the liquid in the graduated cylinder. Measure from
the ________________ of the curve (called a MENISCUS).
Skill to Remember: The formula for volume of a regular shape is ___________ x width x height and the
unit of surface volume is the _______________ centimeter (cm3).
Temperature (T)
Temperature measures the average ______________ energy of the particles in a substance. Kinetic
energy is the energy of ___________. More energy = more particle motion = higher temperature.
Likewise, less energy = less particle motion = _____________ temperature. In the metric system,
temperature is measured in degrees Celsius (°C)
0° C = _____________ point of water
100°C = _____________ point of water
[typical tool used = _____________ thermometer]
Skill to Remember: Place the red-bulb end of the thermometer into the object you wish to measure.
Wait approx. __________ seconds. DO NOT let the thermometer touch the bottom or ______________
of the container.
Mass (M)
Mass is the amount of ______________ an object possesses. It is the property that responds to
________________. The basic unit of mass is a gram (g).
1 kilogram (kg) = 1,000 grams (g)
1,000 milligrams (mg) = 1 gram
[typical tool used = electronic _______________]
Skill to Remember: Re-zero the balance first (_____________ to zero). Never put excess weight on
balance. Be sure the balance is measuring in _____________.
¢ Conversions
Conversions between units, is a skill needed when working with the metric system. The following
example should be your primary way of converting units.
Example:
convert 152 meters in centimeters.
the value you
are converting
152m
x
this fraction is an equivalency that features the unit you
are converting from as the denominator - and your
target unit as the numerator
100 cm
= 15, 200cm
1 meter
this is the answer obtained by canceling the
meter units - leaving centimeters - which was
your target unit
€
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Metric System Handout