MEASURING LENGTH
IN METRICS
GENERAL SCIENCE / EASY LEVEL
Introduction
Most science experiments are conducted using measurements in
the metric system. Most countries use the metric system; therefore,
scientists from different countries are able to understand and
interpret data measured in metric units. In this activity, you will
familiarize yourself with the meter, the metric unit for length, as
well as related units like centimeters and millimeters.
Time Needed
30 minutes
What You Need
✎
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string, about 6 feet (6 ft; about 1.83 meters)
meterstick
ruler with metric measurements
sheet of lined paper to record measurements
pencil
Safety Precautions
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What You Do
1. Take off your shoe from one foot, and with the ruler measure
the length of your foot (heel to big toe) in centimeters. Record
your measurement on the lined paper.
2. Using the ruler, measure the width of the nail on your little finger
in millimeters. Record your measurement.
3. Wrap the string around your head once, as shown in Figure 1.
string
Figure 1
4. Keeping your finger on the string where it meets the end, use the
ruler to measure the circumference of your head in centimeters.
Record the measurement.
5. Hold one end of the string in one hand. Hold onto the string
with your other hand and stretch it across your chest, as shown
in Figure 2.
string
Figure 2
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6. Measure your “wingspan” using the meterstick by measuring
the length of the string you held across your chest with your
arms outstretched.
7. Measure the length of the bottom of your shoe in centimeters
using the ruler. Record the measurement.
8. Using the meterstick, measure the length of the room in
meters. Record your measurement.
Observations
1. Which is more practical to use for measuring the width of
your hand—the ruler or the meterstick?
2. What unit would you use to measure the length of your
big toe?
3. What unit would you use to measure the length of a table?
Metric Conversions for Length
Metric System
English System
1 millimeter (mm)
0.03937 in.
1 centimeter (cm)
10mm
0.3937 in.
1 meter (m)
100 cm
1.0936 yd
1 kilometer (km)
1000 m
0.6214 mile
English System
Metric System
1 inch (in.)
2.54 cm
1 foot (ft)
12 in.
0.3048 m
1 yard (yd)
3 ft
0.9144 m
1 mile
1760 yd
1.6093 km
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All electronic storage, reproduction, or transmittal is copyright protected by the publisher.
JUNIOR SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS ON FILE,TM VOLUME 2
1.0 Safety Guidelines (page 1)
1.0 SAFETY GUIDELINES
GENERAL
get your teacher’s permission for experiments performed
• Always
at school, and your parent’s permission for experiments performed
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
at home, before attempting any experiment.
Read all instructions for an experiment several times before
starting the experiment, and follow the directions exactly as they
appear in this volume.
If an experiment requires adult supervision, do not perform the
experiment unless you have an adult supervising you the entire
time you are performing the experiment.
Wash your hands before the start of, and after, each experiment
you perform.
Keep your work area clean.
Never eat or drink while performing a lab experiment. Never taste a
substance used in an experiment unless you are told that it is safe
to do so.
Be aware of the location of equipment that you may need in an
emergency, such as running water, an eyewash if you are at school,
a fire extinguisher, etc.
If you are going outside, make sure you have teacher or parent
permission to go. Take a buddy with you and dress appropriately for
the weather. Make sure you or someone who accompanies you is
familiar with the area, and bring along a first-aid kit in case of an
emergency.
Never look directly into the Sun.
CHEMICAL SAFETY
wear goggles when working with chemicals, such as acids
• Always
and bases, and near heat sources like flames. If at all possible,
•
•
•
avoid wearing contact lenses when working with chemicals.
If any substance gets into your eyes, notify an adult (e.g., your
teacher or parent) immediately and flush your eyes with running
water for at least 15 or more minutes. Do not mix chemicals unless
you are told to do so by a teacher or parent.
Never touch, taste, or smell chemicals unless instructed to do so.
Keep chemicals in closed containers when they are not in use.
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1.0 Safety Guidelines (page 2)
JUNIOR SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS ON FILE,TM VOLUME 2
of all used chemicals properly. Do not pour any chemicals
• Dispose
or solids down the drain unless instructed to do so.
safety gloves and a plastic apron when handling chemicals. If
• Use
any chemicals spill on your skin, rinse it with running water for at
•
•
least 10 minutes, and notify your teacher or parent immediately.
Take precautions to avoid spilling chemicals. If a chemical spills on
any surface, notify your teacher or parent immediately to assist with
clean-up.
Exercise caution when using sharp instruments such as knives or
scissors. Always cut away from yourself, not toward yourself. If you
are cut, notify your teacher or parent immediately.
GLASSWARE
glassware when you are finished with the experiment.
• Clean
careful when using glassware. If a piece of glassware breaks,
• Be
have an adult assist you in clean-up to avoid injuries due to broken
glass. Never use broken or damaged glassware.
FIRE SAFETY
not heat glassware that is not completely dry. Do not pick up
• Do
hot glassware without heat-resistant gloves or tongs.
heating glassware, keep it away from yourself and from
• When
others.
not heat anything unless instructed to do so by a teacher or
• Do
parent.
not heat substances in a closed container.
• Do
an experiment, make sure that all heating sources are turned
• After
off and that all flames have been put out.
not reach across such heating sources as flames.
• Do
back long hair. Do not wear clothing with loose sleeves, scarves,
• Tie
bows, ties, or anything else that may hang into a fire. Do not wear
long earrings.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
not touch electrical equipment if your hands are wet.
• Do
not plug many electrical devices into one outlet or use an
• Do
extension cord.
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