METRIC SYSTEMAKA: System Internationale (SI)

History

Metric system or System Internationale (SI) was developed in order to have standardized measurementsAs communication and travel increased, the

need for standardization increased (shipping)

Length

Distance from one point to another point Basic unit is a METER (m) We also use Kilometer (Km), centimeter

(cm) and millimeter (mm) Measure with a ruler or tape measure

Length Approximations

Kilometer (Km) = 1,000 metersAbout the distance from bike rack at LSMS to

baseball field at Centennial Meter (m)

About the distance from the floor to a door handle

Centimeter (cm) = 1/100 of a meterAbout the width of your pinky

Millimeter (mm) = 1/1,000 of a meterAbout the thickness of a dime

Volume

Amount of space an object takes up Basic unit is a Liter (L) We also use milliliter (mL) and Cubic

centimeter (cm3) mL = cm3

Measure with a ruler and math or graduated cylinder (meniscus)

Volume Approximations

Liter (L) About the volume of a Nalgene water bottle

Milliliter and Cubic Centimeter = 1/1,000 of a LiterAbout one drop from a medicine dropper

Mass

Amount of matter in an object Basic unit is a Gram (g) We also use Kilogram (Kg) Measured with a scale or balance

Mass Approximations

Gram (g)About the weight of a paper clip

Kilogram (Kg) = 1,000 gramsAbout the weight of a Harry Potter book

(hard back)

Prefix Meaning

Kilo (K) 1,000

Hecto (H) 100

Deca (D) 10

Base Unit (m, l, g) 1

deci (d) 0.1

centi (c) 0.01

milli (m) 0.001