Measurement and Science

1. Measurement and Science Volume, Mass, and Length

2. What is measurement. • Measurement is a quantitative science. • It is the description of some property of an object or substance that compares it to a known standard. • That standard is what we think of as units.

3. Units • Known standards of comparison • Each property has its own units. • The SI units are the internationally accepted standard • Our “English” units are used by just two countries.

4. Volume, Mass, and Length • An almost unlimited characteristics can be measured, but we are most familiar with volume, mass, and length. • What do these terms mean?

5. Volume • The space an object takes up. • The capacity of a container. • Beakers, graduated cylinders, and flasks are common tools for liquids. • Meter sticks or rulers are often used for solids. • SI units include: • Liters (for liquids) • Cubic Centimeters (for solids)

6. Mass • Sometimes described as the amount of matter (or stuff) and object contains. • A more precise definition is how much the object resists changes in motion (acceleration) • A balance or mass calibrated scale are often used for measuring. • This is captured in Newton’s first law: • F = M٠A • SI units are based on the gram.

7. Length • The distance between two points in a straight line. • Meter sticks, rulers are the most common tools for small distances. Lasers and GPS are often used for long sitances. • SI units are based on the meter.