Metric Measurement

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Metric Measurement

• Reading Measurement Instruments

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Reading a Metric Ruler
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Reading a Metric Ruler

• In the metric system, we always use decimals,
  never fractions. You must always include a unit
  like centimeter in your answers. You may use
  abbreviations. Below are some abbreviations for
  common metric linear measures.millimeter--mm
  centimeter--cm decimeter--dm meter--m
  kilometer--km

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Reading a Metric Ruler
On a piece of paper, write the answers to the
lettered arrows.
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Reading a Graduated Cylinder

• 1. A graduated cylinder is used to find the
  volume of a liquid. The volume tells you how much
  space that liquid occupies.
• 2. The marks on the cylinder are called
  graduations. That is why the instrument is called
  the graduated cylinder. Each mark on this
  cylinder is worth one milliliter, a basic unit
  of measure for the volume of a liquid. A unit for
  larger volumes is the liter.

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Reading a Graduated Cylinder

• 3. The graduations on a cylinder are not always
  worth the same. Before using the cylinder, you
  need to figure out what each graduation is
  worth.
• 4. When a liquid is put into a cylinder, the
  surface curves. This curve is called a meniscus.
  When reading the volume of a liquid, always read
  at the bottom of this curve while holding the
  surface at eye level.
• 5. The abbreviation for milliliter is mL. A
  capital L is used so that it is not confused with
  the number "1".

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Reading a Graduated Cylinder

• The lettered arrows on the diagram to the left
  point to volume measurements. Arrow "A reads 48
  mL. Write the answers to the other arrows on a
  piece of paper.

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Reading a Thermometer

• 1. Thermometers work because as liquids get warm,
  they expand as they cool, they contract. If you
  put a liquid in a tube that is closed and put
  graduations on that tube, you can measure the
  change in the height of the column of liquid, and
  thus the change in temperature.
• 2. Thermometers that have a red or blue liquid in
  them are alcohol thermometers. Mercury is a
  silver liquid. These kinds of thermometers can be
  dangerous.

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Reading a Thermometer

• 3. The two common scales found on thermometers
  are Celsius and Fahrenheit. Scientists use the
  Celsius scale.
• 4. Thermometers are calibrated using temperatures
  that are known and don't change. For example, the
  boiling point of water is 100 C. If you put a
  blank thermometer in boiling water, it would go
  to the level that would indicate 100 C.

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Reading a Thermometer

• Each graduation on your thermometer is worth one
  degree Celcius. Celcius is abbreviated C. On the
  thermometer to the left, there are arrows
  pointing at several readings. Write the answers
  on another piece of paper.

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Reading a Balance Scale

• Be sure all riders are at zero.
• Move the riders beginning with the largest mass
  first until the scale is balanced.