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The Metric SystemVodcast 1.2Unit 1: Introduction to BiologyWhy Do Scientists Need a Common System of Measurement?Researchers need to replicate each others experiments, and most experiments involve measurements, so scientists need a common system of measurementMost scientists use the metric system when collecting data and performing experimentsMetric system decimal system of measurement whose units are based on certain physical standards and are scaled on multiples of 10Each unit is 10 times larger or 10 times smaller than the next unitA revised version of the original metric system is called the International System of Units (SI)

The Metric SystemCommon SI PrefixesPrefixSymbolMeaningkilo-k1000 times largerhecto-h100 times largerdeka-da10 times largerdeci-d10 times smallercenti-c100 times smallermilli-m1000 times smallermicro-1 million times smallernano-n1000 million times smallerKingHenryDiedBy (base unit: g, L, m)Drinking ChocolateMilkUnderstanding the Metric System *Each step UP is 10 times LARGER

kilo_____ (k_)hecto_____ (h_)deca_____ (da_)Base Unit (g, m, L)deci_____ (d_)centi_____(c_)milli_____(m_)

*Each step down is 10 times smallerCommonly Used Metric UnitsLength (m = meter)used to measure length or distance from one point to another1000 meters = 1 kilometer (km)Volume (L = liter)used to measure volume of a liquid, or the amount of space an object takes up1 liter = 1000 milliliters (mL)Mass (g = grams)used to measure mass, or the amount of matter in an object1000 grams = 1 kilogram (kg)

Commonly Used Metric Units ContinuedTemperature ( C = Celsius)used to measure the warmth or coldness of an item, or its temperature, you use the unit degrees 0C = freezing point of water100C = boiling point of water