The Metric System

The Metric SystemMeters, Grams, and Liters

1

Thumbs up!

Awesome job!

Place Values of Metric PrefixesThousandHundredTenOneTenthHundredthThousandthkmkgkL

hmhghL

dkmdkgdkL

mgLdmdgdL

cmcgcL

mmmgmL

MetersMeters measure length or distanceOne millimeter is about the thickness of a dime.

MetersOne centimeter is about the width of a large paper clip

or your fingernail.MetersA meter is about the width of a doorway

MetersA kilometer is about six city blocks or 10 football fields.

1.6 kilometers is about 1 mile

GramGrams are used to measure mass or the weight of an object.

GramsA milligram weighs about as much as a grain of salt.

Grams1 gram weighs about as much as a small paper clip.

1 kilogram weighs about as much as 6 apples or 2 pounds.

LitersLiters measure liquids or capacity.

2 Liter SodaLiter1 milliliter is about the amount of one drop

Liter1 liter is half of a 2 liter bottle of Coke or other soda

LiterA kiloliter would be about 500 2-liter bottles of pop

Factor-Label MethodSolving ProblemsThe Factor label MethodA way to solve math problems in scienceUsed to convert:km to m, g to kg, etc.To use this we need: given quantity (know)desired quantity (find) conversion factors

Conversion factors are valid relationships or equalities expressed as a fraction and equal to one!

The Steps to FollowWrite the units for the desired quantity preceded by = To the left of the = write down the given quantity over 1Determine what conversion factors you will use to turn the given units into the needed units.Cancel the unwanted unitsComplete the math

Factor label ExampleHow many meters are in 47.5 km?Write the desired units (m) [FIND]Write the given quantity with units [KNOW]Write the conversion factor.Cancel the units.Do the math without rounding.Write the answer using significant figures.

Significant FiguresLeading zeroes never count.Trailing zeroes only count if there is a decimal point.All numbers that are not leading zeroes or trailing zeroes always count.Conversion factors DO NOT determine significant figures!47.5 km x 1000m = _____ m 1 1 km47.5 km x 1000m = 47500 m 1 1 kmWhat unit would you use to measure each of the following items?Which unit would you use to measure the length of this bicycle?

kmmcmmmWhich unit would you use to measure the mass of a penny?

kmgcLmgWhich unit would you use to measure the water in an aquarium?

LmcLmgWhich unit would you use to measure the mass of a feather?

LmcLmgWhich unit would you use to measure the mass of a student desk? kggcLmg

Which unit would you use to measure the mass of a whole watermelon?

kggcLmgWhich unit would you use to measure the mass of an egg?

kggmmmg Which unit would you use to measure a can of soup? kLLmmmL

SoupWhich unit would you use to measure this glass of milk?

kLLcLmLWhich unit would you use to measure the distance across Kansas? kmmcmmL

Which unit would you use to measure the height of a tree? kmmcmmm

Which unit would you use to measure the length of a bracelet? kmmcmmm