Metric Lesson.notebookUniversal Measurements
measurement system?
It is important that scientists can
communicate with each other.
Es importante que los científicos pueden comunicarse
entre sí.
Vano je da znanstvenici mogu komunicirati jedni s drugima.Croatian
Es ist wichtig, dass die Wissenschaftler können miteinander kommunizieren.German
iu quan trng là các nhà khoa hc có th giao tip vi nhau.Vietnamese
Inter se communicare possunt esse scientiae est magna.Latin
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
S'Mores Rice Krispy Treats
makes 24 squares
Ingredients •
A lot of Rice Krispies Cereal
•
Just a few miniature marshmallows
• 2 dollops of butter •
A handful of crushed graham cracker pieces
•
A shake of mini chocolate chips
Instructions
1. Spray 11x7 baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Pour in
the marshmallows and heat again for a couple seconds.
Remove and stir. Repeat until marshmallows are melted.
3. Pour in the rice krispie cereal and graham cracker pieces.
Mix together well.
4. Add chocolate chips and gently stir (you want most of the
chips to hold their shape and not to completely melt).
5. Dump the rice krispie treats into a prepared baking pan.
Then wet your hands and flatten treats evenly.
6. Refrigerate for about 25 minutes and cut into 24 squares.
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
S'Mores Rice Krispie Treats
makes 24 squares
Ingredients •
6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal •
1 bag (10.5oz) miniature marshmallows
•
1/4 cup (4 Tbsp) unsalted butter
•
1 and 1/2 cups graham cracker pieces
•
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips (or regular size chocolate chips)
Instructions
1. Spray 11x7 baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Pour in
the marshmallows and heat again for a couple seconds.
Remove and stir. Repeat until marshmallows are melted.
3. Pour in the rice krispie cereal and graham cracker pieces.
Mix together well.
4. Add chocolate chips and gently stir (you want most of the
chips to hold their shape and not to completely melt).
5. Dump the rice krispie treats into a prepared baking pan.
Then wet your hands and flatten treats evenly.
6. Refrigerate for about 25 minutes and cut into 24 squares.
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
What units of measure do you use in
everyday life?
What units of measure have you
used in science investigations in the
past?
Why do you think there is a
difference in the units of measure
used in science?
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
12 inches = 1 foot
36 inches = 1 yard
3 feet = 1 yard
5,280 feet = 1 mile
1,720 yards = 1 mile
16 ounces = 1 pound
2,000 pounds = 1 ton
4 quarts = 1 gallon
2 pints = 1 quart
2 cups = 1 pint
32 degrees = freezing point of water
212 degrees = boiling point of water
Standard Units of measure
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
100 cm = 1 meter
10 mm = 1 cm.
1000 mm = 1 meter
1000 meter = 1 km
1000 grams = 1 kilogram
1000 milliliters = 1 liter
1 cubic cm = 1 milliliter
0 degrees = freezing point of water
100 degrees = boiling point of water
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
*Please Note: Archive articles do not include photos, charts or graphics. More information. <javascript:pop_me_up('http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/faq/archives1851qa16.html',
%20'width=400,height=400,scrollbars=yes,toolbars=no,resizable=yes')>
October 1, 1999, Friday
By ANDREW POLLACK (NYT) National Desk
Late Edition Final, Section A, Page 1, Column 5, 974 words
National Aeronautics and Space Administration says confusion over whether measurements were
metric or not led to loss of $125 million spacecraft as it approached Mars says engineers at Lockheed
Martin Corp, which built spacecraft, specified certain measurements about spacecraft's thrust in
pounds, English unit, but NASA scientists thought information was in metric measurement of newtons
resulting miscalculation, undetected for months as craft, Mars Climate Orbiter, was designed, built and
launched, meant it was off course by about 60 miles as it approached Mars it is not known with
certainty what happened to spacecraft.
Discovery Activity How Many Shoes? pg 44
1. Estimate how many "shoes" long our classroom is.
2. Trace an outline of your shoe onto a piece of paper.
Cut out your pattern.
3. Use your pattern to measure the length of your
classroom in "shoes."
4. Compare your measurement to those of three
classmates. Did you all measure the same number of
"shoes"?
Reflect: Why is it important that people use standard
units of measurement?
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Universal Measurements
measurement system?
Nature of Science
Lesson MeasurementA Common Language (pg.4455)
Why do scientists need to use a standard system of measurement?
it minimizes confusion among scientists all over the world
______________________.
it gives scientists a common language to compare data and communicate their
scientific results
The Metric Systema universal system of measurement based on the
number ten.
v Developed by scientists in France
Modern scientists use a version of the metric system called the:
International System of Units abbreviated as SI
vScientists all over the world use SI units to measure:
1.length 4. density
2.volume 5. temperature_____3.mass 6. time____
vSI units are based on multiples of ten
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Universal Measurements
words?
Prefix Symbol Meaning
kilo k 1,000
hecto h 100
deka da 10
Prefix Symbol Meaning
kilo k 1,000
hecto h 100
deka da 10
Length
Length is the distance from one point to another
meter (m)the basic unit of length in the SI system
a meter is approximately from the tip of the teacher's nose
to the tip of their finger
va meter is approximately five cinder blocks high
va meter is approximately from the floor to a doorknob
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Universal Measurements
large distances?
centimeter (cm)
va centimeter is approximately the width of your little finger, or the width of
a thumb tack, large paperclip, or staple______________
centimeans "one hundredth" (1/100)
a centimeter is 1/100 of a meter
100 centimeters = 1 meter
millimeter (mm)
va millimeter is approximately the thickness of a small paperclip or the space
between the teeth of a fine comb
millimeans "one thousandth" (1/1000)
a millimeter is 1/1000 of a meter
1000 millimeters= 1 meter kilometer (km)
va kilometer is the distance from the front of the school ,out to the traffic
light and down to Wendy's
kilomeans "one thousand" (1,000)
a kilometer is 1000 meters
__________________________1 kilometer = 1000 meters
Metric Measurement : Length
Background Information Length, or linear distance, is measured in
the metric system in meters. Some objects are too small to be
measured in meters, so scientists use centimeters (1/100 of a
meter) or millimeters (1/1000 of a meter) to express these
measurements. Each metric unit is 10 times larger or 10 times
smaller then the next unit. The laboratory equipment used for
measuring linear distances is the meter stick or metric
ruler.
In this investigation you will learn how to accurately measure
linear distance and express the measurement in the proper metric
unit.
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Metric Measurement : LengthProblem: What is the proper way to use
the meter stick and metric
ruler to measure length of different objects?
Materials: (per group) *meter stick *metric ruler * pencil *test
tube *meter tape
Procedure: 1. Fill in the guess column first by yourself for Data
Table 1. Then with your group using the meter stick or metric
ruler, make the measurements of the various objects listed in Data
Table 1. Record your measurements to the nearest centimeter in Data
Table 1. 2. Convert the measurements from centimeters to meters and
then to millimeters. Record these measurements in Data Table 1. 3.
Fill in the guess column first by yourself for Data Table 2.Now
make the measurements listed in Data Table 2. To measure the
distance around a circular object, or its circumference, wrap the
meter tape around the object, keeping one end fixed. Have the free
end touches the fixed end of the meter tape and record your
measurement to the nearest centimeter. 3. Then convert the
measurements to the nearest meter, and millimeter in Data Table
2.
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Small Large
Finish the questions (your conclusions)
for the Length Lab
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Universal Measurements
objects?
a light year
The distance light travels in one year___________________
300,000 kilometers per second (186,000 miles per second)
9.5 trillion kilometers
1 light year = 9,500,000,000,000
( the closest star system, after the Sun, is 4 light years away ! )
Mass
Mass is a measure of the amount of matter an object has.
(Matter is how much "stuff" something is made of)
kilogram (kg)— the base unit in the SI system to measure mass.
=1000 grams used to measure larger masses.
gram (g)— a large paper clip has a mass of 1 gram.
1000 grams = 1 kilogram
milligram (mg) 1/1000 of a gramused to find very small masses.
(used to find masses of chemicals in medicines and foods)
1000 milligrams = 1 gram
25.4 kg = _______ G
4530 mg = _______ g
In your notebook complete these problems.
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
EQ: How do scientists find the mass of objects?
Discuss the following questions with your seated partner.
1. What are the units of mass?
2. What tools do you think scientists use to measure mass?
Read the top of pg 49 and pg 152.
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Tool for Measuring Mass
The triple beam balance measures mass by comparing the mass you are
measuring to a known mass.
How are Mass and Weight different?
vmass is often confused with weight
Weight is a measure of the force of gravity acting on an object
vyour weight will change depending on the
gravity of the object you are on.
(example: you would weigh less on the Moon more on Jupiter )
Volume
Volume is the amount of space an object takes up.
liter (L) The basic unit used to find the volume of a liquid.
v
Soda is sold in 1 ,2, and 3 liter bottles
milliliter (mL)1/1000 of a Liter
1000 milliliters = 1 liter
(Newtons)
EQ: How do scientists find the mass of objects?
On a posted note answer the following questions in a
sentence.
1. What is the unit of mass?
2. How do scientists find the mass of objects using a triplebeam
balance?
Summarizer:
562.4 kg = _______ g
85 mg = _______ g
In your notebook complete these problems.
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Universal Measurements
objects?
69.5 dg = _______ hg
37 hm = _______ cm
In your notebook complete these problems.
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Universal Measurements
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Tool for Measuring Mass
The triple beam balance measures mass by comparing the mass you are
measuring to a known mass.
How are Mass and Weight different?
vmass is often confused with weight
Weight is a measure of the force of gravity acting on an object
vyour weight will change depending on the
gravity of the object you are on.
(example: you would weigh less on the Moon more on Jupiter )
Volume
Volume is the amount of space an object takes up.
liter (L) The basic unit used to find the volume of a liquid.
v
Soda is sold in 1 ,2, and 3 liter bottles
milliliter (mL)1/1000 of a Liter
1000 milliliters = 1 liter
(Newtons)
Universal Measurements EQ: How do scientists
measure the volume of a liquid?
How do scientists measure the volume of a solid?
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Tool for Measuring Mass
The triple beam balance measures mass by comparing the mass you are
measuring to a known mass.
How are Mass and Weight different?
vmass is often confused with weight
Weight is a measure of the force of gravity acting on an object
vyour weight will change depending on the
gravity of the object you are on.
(example: you would weigh less on the Moon more on Jupiter )
Volume
Volume is the amount of space an object takes up.
liter (L) The basic unit used to find the volume of a liquid.
v
Soda is sold in 1 ,2, and 3 liter bottles
milliliter (mL)1/1000 of a Liter
1000 milliliters = 1 liter
(Newtons)
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Tool for measuring liquid volume
Scientists often use a graduated cylinder to measure liquid
volume.
vthe liquid in the graduated cylinder forms a curve called a
meniscus
vto read the volume, read the bottom of the meniscus
cubic centimeters ( cc or cm³ ) Used to find the volume of a
rectangular solid
va cubic centimeter is a cube that is one centimeter long on all sides
1 cubic centimeter = 1milliliter = 1gram
To calculate the volume of a rectangular solid use:
To find the volume of an irregularly shaped solid use the water
displacement method
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
321 Review:
3 things we learned about volume
2 things we learned about mass
1 thing we learned about length
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Universal Measurements
a substance?
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Density
the measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume
Density = Mass
Volume
ØAn object's density is expressed as a combination of two units
Common units
g/cm3 g/mL
(The density of water is 1 g/mL)
Time
Øthe second (s) is the SI unit used to measure time
Øa millisecond (ms) is 1/1000 of a second
1 second=1,000 milliseconds
1 minute = 60 seconds
1 hour = 60 minutes
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Determining the density of objects using Archimedes principle
Physics 223 Dr. Hank Yochum Fall 2000
Remember to switch lab partners
LAB Buoyancy
1 g/cc = 1 gram/cm^3
Densities sorted by Material Density
Category Material Density (g/cc)
Wood Cherry 0.433 Wood Walnut 0.593
Wood Southern Pine 0.65
Wood Red Oak 0.673
Wood Sugar Maple 0.689 Wood Birch 0.705
Wood Mahogony 0.705 Chemical Gasoline 0.721
Chemical Benzene 0.737
Liquid Ethyl Alcohol 0.802
Liquid Methyl Alcohol 0.809
Other Ice 0.897 Other Paraffin 0.898
Liquid Mineral Oil 0.914 Other Paper 0.929
Liquid Vegetable Oil 0.93
Other Leather, common 0.945
Plastic HDPE 0.955
Liquid Water, 100 °C 0.9581
Liquid Water, 4 °C 0.99997
Plastic Polyurethane 1 Liquid Seawater 1.025
Mineral Coal, Coke 1.201
Mineral Coal, Lignite 1.25
Mineral Coal, Bituminous 1.346
Plastic Kevlar 29 1.44
Plastic Kevlar 49 1.44
Plastic Kevlar 149 1.47
Plastic Rubber 1.506
Mineral Coal, Anthracite 1.554
Metal Magnesium, Pure 1.7
Metal Beryllium 1.8477
Metal Beryllium, QMV 1.85
Ceramic Graphite 2.163
Ceramic Quartz Glass 2.2
Ceramic Borosilicate Glass 2.3
Ceramic Glass 2.6 Metal Aluminum 2.643
Ceramic Lead Glass 2.8 Metal Titanium 4.5
Mineral Iron Ore, Magnetite 5.046
Mineral Iron Ore, Hematite 5.206
Ceramic Vanadium Carbide 5.71
Ceramic Zirconia 5.75 Ceramic YTZP 6.1
Metal Zirconium 6.3798
Ceramic Zirconium Carbide 6.56
Mineral Tin Ore, cassiterite 6.695
Metal Iron, Ferrosilicon 6.984
Metal Zinc, Cast 7.049
Metal Iron, grey cast 7.079
Metal Iron, Cast, Pig 7.207
Metal Pig Iron 7.207
Metal Tin, casthammered 7.352
Mineral Lead Ore, Galena 7.449
Metal Stainless 27Cr 7.47
Metal Iron, Spiegeleisen 7.496
Metal Manganese 7.608
Metal Iron, wrought 7.658
Metal Aluminum bronze 7.702
Metal Bronze, aluminum 7.702
Metal Steel, tool 7.715
Metal Wrought Iron 7.75
Metal Carbon Tool Steel 7.82
Metal Steel, colddrawn 7.83
Metal Carbon Steel 7.84
Metal Steel, C1020, HR 7.85
Metal Pure Iron 7.86
Metal Soft Steel (0.06% C) 7.87
Metal Stainless 18Cr8Ni 8.03
Metal Stainless Steel, 304 8.03
Metal Bronze, ~11% Tin 8.1
Metal Brass 8.553
Metal German Silver 8.586
Metal Bronze, phosphor 8.8
Metal Cobalt 8.8 Metal Copper, Pure 8.9
Metal Nickel, Pure 8.9
Metal Copper, castrolled 8.906
Metal Molybdenum, wrought 10.3
Metal Silver, Pure 10.5
Metal Silver, Casthammered 10.51
Metal Lead 11.37
Metal Thorium, Ind. melted 11.6
Ceramic Hafnium Carbide 12.76
Metal Mercury 13.57
Ceramic Tungsten Carbide 15.7
Ceramic WC / Tungsten Carbide 15.7
Metal Tantalum 16.6
Metal Gold Coin (US) 17.19
Metal Uranium 18.74 Metal Tungsten 18.82
Metal Uranium D38 18.97
Metal Gold, casthammered 19.3
Metal Gold, Pure 19.32
Metal Plutonium, alpha phase 19.35
Metal Platinum 21.3 Metal Iridium 22.16
______________________________
back to physics 223 <phys223_2000_assignments.htm>
last updated 9/20/00.
Cool density buoyancy website
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Prelab questions
1. How do you carry a triplebeam balance?
2.
Which rider do you move first when using a triplebeam
balance?
3. What is volume?
4.
What is the formula for finding the volume of a rectangular
shaped object?
5.
How do you find the volume of an irregular shaped object?
6.
What is the formula for calculating density?
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Procedure:
1.
Select one of the objects who density you wish to calculate. Place the
object on a balance and determine it’s mass. Enter the mass in the data
table.
2.
Place some water (60mL or 70mL) in the graduated cylinder. Write this
number down on your data sheet.
3.
Carefully tilt the graduated cylinder and add the object, being careful not
to lose any water.
4.
Tilt the graduated cylinder upright and read the new water level. Write
this number on your data sheet.
5.
Then subtract the first waterlevel reading form the second to determine
the volume of the object. Enter this volume in your data table.
6.
Repeat this procedure for each remaining object.
7.
Use the formula D= M/V to calculate the density of each object you
selected.
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Object Mass (g) First Water Level (mL)
Second Water Level (mL)
Volume/ Water Displaced (mL)
Analysis and Conclusions:
1.
What is the volume of an object whose dimensions are 1.0 cm X
6.0 cm X 2.0 cm? Remember to include the proper units.
2.
If the mass of this object is 60 g, what is its density? *Use your
answer from question 1 for volume*
3.
Which object is made of the densest material?
4.
If an object with a density of 10g/cm3 is cut into two equal pieces,
what is the density of each piece? Why?
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Temperature
ütemperature measures how hot or cold something is
üScientists commonly use the Celcius scale (°C) to measure
temperature.
Celsius Scale ( °C )
Freezing point of water = __0°C___
Boiling point of water = __100°C__
Normal body temperature = __37°C__
Kelvin Scale (°K)
üthe Kelvin scale is considered the official SI unit
for measuring temperature
ü0°K is considered the coldest temperature possible
üit's called Absolute Zero it equals 273° C
thermometer the tool used to measure temperature
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Metric Debate article.pdf
This slide for teacher information:
Use Metric Debate article to produce a writing assignment based on pros or cons for metric vs.
Imperial measurement
Prereading activity: In groups of 4 make a list of pros and cons for both
During reading: Talk to the text
After reading: Group again
Homework graded writing assignment
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
In groups of 4, review how the metric
system differs from the American/Imperial
system of measurement.
List several pros and cons of each.
(~ 10 minutes)
Share some with the class.
Read the articles.
Metric System Pros Cons
American System Pros Cons
Decide which opinion you agree with.
Join with 2 or 3 other students who agree with
the same opinion.
As a group, brainstorm 4 or 5 arguments the
other side would have that you need to defend
against. By predicting what your opponent
will say, you will be more prepared to defend
your opinion.
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Hwk: Metric persuasive
"Letter to the Editor"
For a graded writing assignment:
Write a persuasive "Letter to the Editor" to describe
why the United States should or should not use the
metric system. Use the article as a source, but come
up with your own arguments and reasons.
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
+ 2 + 1 0
Provides information in
letter that has some
inaccuracies or omissions.
Provides information in
letter that has many inaccuracies
or omissions.
Class Time Uses class time
appropriately while
working in groups.
Needs reminders to get back on
task.
Offtask behaviors frequent.
Includes 3 or more reasons (facts,
statistics, examples, reallife experiences)
that support the opinion.
Includes less than 3 reasons
(facts, statistics, examples, real life
experiences) that support the opinion.
Includes no good reasons (facts,
statistics, examples, reallife
experiences) that support the opinion.
Mechanics
Letter contains few to
no fragments, runon
sentences rare errors
or mechanical mistakes.
Letter contains a few
fragments, run on sentences a
few errors or mechanical mistakes.
Writing contains mechanical mistakes is
marred by many errors.
Metric Lesson.notebook October 30, 2017
Attachments
Metric Debate article.pdf
NO, LET’S KEEP AMERICA AMERICAN BY NICK BRUNT Paul Smith, NY
I am an American and proud of it. America is the greatest country
in the world. We are emulated by other countries in just about
every respect. So why should we change our method of measurement?
Because people have 10 fingers is a very poor reason to base all
weights and measures on the number 10. I do my math with my brain,
not my fingers. If you can’t multiply or divide any number other
than 10, you are sadly in need of a remedial course in arithmetic,
not a new measurement system. The metric system is a product of the
French Revolution, a period when bloodthirsty French peasants
beheaded most of the scientists and technical people simply because
they were part of the aristocracy. That kind of behavior is hardly
indicative of stable, rational thought. It’s no wonder that some
peasants in the middle of Paris saying that all measurement will be
based on the number 10 spawned a measurement system that leaves a
lot to be desired. The meter is one-ten-millionth of the distance
between the North Pole and the equator along the Greenwich
meridian. Now there’s a practical unit if I ever saw one! And so
easy to calibrate too. Some critics of the metric system say that
the original measurement of the circumference of the Earth to
determine the meter was inaccurate to begin with and has never been
corrected. At one point, they even had a metric time system and a
metric calendar. Both were so unwieldy that even the French
revolutionaries couldn’t stand to use them and they were dropped.
Canada converted 25 years ago. Suddenly, citizens raised within the
British Imperial system had to convert to metrics. Why? Has life in
Canada radically improved because of the country’s conversion? I
don’t think so. I have always considered the metric system somewhat
of a joke. It like measuring objects with a string that has knots
for measuring points. Yes, the string gives a little, but who
cares? It’s good enough. That’s the metric system. It’s not very
precise, but who cares? It’s easy because you can multiply and
divide by 10. It’s interesting to note that Airbus Industrie, a
Europe-based manufacturer of some of the world’s most advanced
passenger aircraft, such as the A320 and A34, use the American
system of measurement because it’s more accurate.
Here is my closing thought about the American system of
measurement. Our ancestors designed it. It was good enough for
them. It allowed the United States to become the most
technologically advanced country in the world. And it’s good enough
for me. If you want to use the metric system, go live in a country
that uses it. Leave our system alone.
Kitchen Equivalent Chart
Common Units of Mass and Weight
1 pound = 453.59 grams = 0.45359 kilograms 1 kilogram = 1000 grams
= 2.205 pounds 1 gram = 10 decigrams = 100 centigrams = 1000
milligrams 1 atomic mass unit = 1.6605 x10-24 gram 1 short ton =
200 pounds = 907.2 kilograms 1 long ton = 2240 pounds 1 metric
tonne = 1000 kilograms = 2205 pounds
Common Units of Length and Volume
1 mile = 5280 feet = 1.609 kilometers 1 yard = 36 inches = 0.9144
meter 1 meter = 100 cm = 39.7 inches = 3.281 feet = 1.094 yards 1
kilometer = 1000 meters = 1094 yards = 0.6215 mile 1 Angstrom = 1.0
x 10-8 centimeter = 0.10 nanometer 100 picometers = 1.0 x 10-10
meter = 3.937 x 10-9 inch 1 quart = 0.9643 liter 1 liter = 1.0567
quarts 1 liter = 1 cubic decimeter = 1000 cubic centimeters 1
millimeter = 1 cm3 = 0.001 liter = 1.056 x 10-3 quart
POPULAR MECHANICS – September 1996
YES, AMERICA NEEDS TO BE METRIFIED BY RICHARD BONNER Dartmouth,
Nova Scotia
I am sorry that you and your countrymen have not learned and used
the metric system to a point where you would like it. Canada
switched 25 years ago and our company, Atlantic Illumination, went
metric a few years afterward. To acquaint our employees with the
new system, we removed all obsolete measuring tapes and replaced
them with metric only, painted over the inches side on our meter
sticks and used lacquer thinner to remove Fahrenheit degrees on
thermometers. I would never go back to the old, annoying, tedious
Imperial or American system. By the way, it is called the Imperial
system because it’s a royal pain to use. Did you know that a bushel
of wheat is a different size from a bushel of cranberries? Did you
know that a barrel of oil is a different size from a barrel of
vinegar? There are three different-length miles. Two different-size
ounces and four different-weight tons. This doesn’t even take into
account that the American and Imperial system measures are not the
same size, yet they use the same nomenclature. This is very
confusing for trade between the United States and any other country
in the world, especially Canada, America’s most important trading
partner. For that reason, U.S. industry is now metric. It’s only
the general public that clings to the old system for measurement.
It’s a metric world. Gas and milk are sold by the liter. Odometers,
speedometers and road signs are all in kilometers. Soft drinks are
sold by the milliliter. Grocery- product weights are in grams. Deli
scales are in grams. Temperature is in centigrade. Rainfall is
measured in millimeters. Barometric and tire pressure are in
kilopascals. I buy 35 mm slide film, which is placed in 50 mm
mounts. I am 178 cm tall and weigh 80 kilograms. This is everywhere
in the world except in the United States. Even that is changing
though. Look at your grocery shelves. Just about all products now
have both metric and American measurements, and many have only
metric. Most soft drinks are now sold by the liter. Film has long
been sold by the millimeter. With metric, all size names are equal.
A liter is a liter, regardless of what in it. Only one number is
needed to
convert: 10. One millimeter equals 1 cubic centimeter, 1 cubic
centimeter of water weighs 1 gram. Also, 1000 cubic centimeters
equal 1000 milliliters equal 1 liter. And 1 liter of water weights
1 kilogram. What could be easier? It’s all ones and zeroes. Can you
imagine if the American currency system was like our measurement
system with six pennies to the nickel, three nickels to the dime,
four dimes to the quarter and five quarters to the dollar? A
calculator would be required every time you shop, just as you are
forcing me to keep a calculator on hand every time I read POPULAR
MECHANICS. Fortunately for Americans, your monetary system is based
on 10, just like the metric system. The United States is known for
having the best of everything and for leadership in technology and
innovation, except for the American measurement system, which is
old hat and bottom of the barrel. How can you have the best of
everything and yet the worst measurement system? I’ll wager that
you probably se a word processor. Would you go back to a manual
typewriter? Do you still drive a horse and buggy? No, because the
automobile is a better idea. So is the metric system. Learn to use
it. Get comfortable with it and you will love it.
SI Fundamental Units
Physical Quantity Name of Unit Symbol
Length meter m Mass kilogram kg Time second s Temperature kelvin K
Amount of Substance mole mol Electric current ampere A Luminous
intensity candela cd
Traditional Metric and SI Prefixes
Factor Prefix Symbol Factor Prefix Symbol
1012 tera T 10-1 deci- d 109 giga G 10-2 centi- c 106 mega M 10-3
milli- m
103 kilo k 10-6 micro- 102 hecto h 10-9 nano- n 101 deka da 10-12
pico- p 10-15 femto- f 10-18 atto- a
POPULAR MECHANICS – September 1996
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Page 32: Mass tool notes
Page 33: Mass Lab
Page 34: Mass Lab
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