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The Metric System. Why scientists love it so. Standards of the past. People used to use parts of their body to determine the length of something. The standard would be a part of the king’s anatomy. The standard yard was the distance from the king’s nose to his outstretched arm.
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The Metric System Why scientists love it so.
Standards of the past • People used to use parts of their body to determine the length of something. • The standard would be a part of the king’s anatomy. • The standard yard was the distance from the king’s nose to his outstretched arm
People would use their feet to measure distance • This is how the term foot came about. • Today the standard “foot” in the English system is 12 inches = 1 foot
The English system is very confusing because it has so many different values
Scientists give the English system the thumbs down Scientists needed an exact and uniform system of weights and measurements
Meters • Meters measure length or distance • One millimeter is about the thickness of a dime. 1000 mm = 1 m
Meters • One centimeter is about the width of a large paper clip 100 cm = 1 m • or your fingernail.
Meters • A meter is about the width of a doorway
Meters • A kilometer is about six city blocks or 10 football fields. 1000 m = 1 km • 1.6 kilometers is about 1 mile
Gram • Grams are used to measure mass or the weight of an object.
Grams • A milligram weighs about as much as a grain of salt. 1000 mg = 1 g
Grams • 1 gram weighs about as much as a small paper clip. • 1 kilogram weighs about as much as 6 apples or 2 pounds. 1000 g = 1 kg
Liters • Liters measure liquids or capacity. 2 Liter Soda
Liter • 1 milliliter is about the amount of one drop 1000 mL = 1 L
Liter • 1 liter is half of a 2 liter bottle of Coke or other soda
100 cm ______ 100 cm 1 m ______ 1 m 1 m 100 cm ______ 132 cm ( ) equality: 1 m = 100 cm How many cm are in 1.32 meters? applicable conversion factors: or 1.32 m = Remember units must cancel!
1000 mL ______ 1 L ______ 1 L 1000 mL ______ ( ) 1 L 1000 mL equality: 1 L = 1000 mL How many liters is 8.72 mL? applicable conversion factors: or 8.72 mL = 0.0087 L Again, the units must cancel.