Measurement

Getting Ready for Science Labs

Measuring Length

• Length and distance are measured in millimeters (mm), centimeters (cm), meters (m), or kilometers (km).

• 1 meter is slightly larger than 1 yard• 1 inch equals about 2 1/2 centimeters • 1 kilometer equals about 6/10 of a mile

Millimeters (mm)

• 1 mm = 0.1 cm• Your ruler is marked in

centimeters with the tiny lines between them indicating millimeters.

• The thickness of a dime is 1 mm.

Centimeters (cm)

• 1 cm = 10 mm• In the science lab, you

will be measuring in this unit most often.

• Be aware that not all rulers are the same. Look for the “0” before measuring!

• The width of a fingernail is about 1 cm.

Meters (m)

• 1 m = 100 cm• The height from the

floor to your average door handle is just under 1 m.

• 400 m is the distance around a track.

Kilometers (km)

• 1 km = 1000 m• A little over 2 laps

around an outdoor track is about 1 km.

Measuring Volume

• Volume is measuring in milliliters (mL) and liters (L).

• Always read the measurement from the bottom of the meniscus.

• About 30 mL = 1 fl oz• 1 liter is slightly larger

than 1 quart

Milliliters (mL) and Liters (L)

1 mL = about 4 drops of liquid 1 L = half a 2-liter bottle of soda

Measuring Mass

• Mass is measured in milligrams (mg), grams (g), and kilograms (kg).

• We won’t use milligrams in class, but it can be seen listed on medicine bottles.

• About 28 grams equals 1 ounce.• 1 kilogram equals a little over 2 pounds.

Grams (g)

• 1 g = 0.001 kg• The mass of 1 paperclip

is about equal to 1 gram.

• Always make sure before using any scale or balance that you “zero” it out first!

Kilograms (kg)

• 1 kg = 1000 g• The mass of about 100

pennies will equal 1 kg.

Measuring Temperature

• Temperature is measured in degrees Celsius (°C).

• Water freezes at 0°C and at 32°F.

• Water boils at 100°C and at 212°F.

• Always make sure you are reading on the Celsius side of the thermometer.