1. The Metric System
A decimal system of units for measurements of length, mass, time, etc.
System International (SI) units – a superset of seven units from which all others can be derived.

2. SI Units Quantity Name of Unit Abbreviation Length meter m Mass
kilogram kg
Temperature
kelvin K
Time
second s
Amount of Substance
mole
mol
Electric current
ampere A
Luminous intensity
candela cd

3. Common Prefixes Prefix Symbol Numerical Value Mega M
kilo k
1,000 = 1 x 103
centi c
0.01 = 1 x 10-2
milli m
0.001 = 1 x 10-3
micro
= 1 x 10-6

4. Conversion Factor A relationship between two quantities.
Important – both quantities should include units.
Can be:
metric-to-metric.
English-to-English.
English-to-metric.

5. Conversion Factor
1 foot = 12 inches
100 cm = 1 m
1 inch = 2.54 cm

6. Dimensional Analysis Uses units with the numerical values.
All units should cancel except those that are desired for the answer.
My method is sometimes referred to as the “fence-post” method.
Remember – answers should be rounded to the proper number of significant figures!

7. Dimensional Analysis
Ex) 45 inches = ? centimeters

8. Dimensional Analysis 0.054 meters = ? centimeters
Why are these set-ups wrong?

9. Dimensional Analysis
Multi-step problems can be done either all at once or one step at a time.
Ex) 2.50 feet = ? cm

10. Problem-Solving
Read the problem carefully and highlight any numbers and their units. Determine what is known and what is to be solved for.
Plan out your course of action. What conversion factors are needed? Write them down.

11. Problem-Solving
Set-up and organize the problem in a neat and logical fashion making sure units cancel for each step.
Calculate your answer following proper mathematics and round to the proper number of significant digits.
Check your answer and work.

12. Dimensional Analysis
Ex) 15 pints = ? L

13. Dimensional Analysis 55 miles per hour = ? meters per second
How long will it take to travel 5.0 km at this speed?

14. Measuring Mass and Volume
Matter = anything that occupies space and has mass.
The SI unit of mass is the kilogram.
Volume is a derived unit and is the amount of space occupied by matter.
Based on the SI system, the standard unit would be a meter x meter x meter or cubic meter (m3).

15. Measuring Mass and Volume
However, this is too large to use in practical uses.
1 milliliter (mL) is defined as a cube that measures 1 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm.
Thus, 1 mL = 1 cm3 or 1 cc.

16. Volume Conversions
A block measures 12 inches by 6.5 inches by 2.5 inches. What is the volume of this block in Liters?

17. Temperature
Temperature is the measurement of the amount of heat a substance has.
Heat flows from warmer to colder objects.
SI unit is the Kelvin.
Metric unit is Celsius.
English unit is Fahrenheit.

19. Temperature Conversions
oF = (1.8 x oC) + 32
oC = (oF – 32) / 1.8
K = oC

20. Temperature Conversions
Convert 72oC to Fahrenheit
Convert 65oF to Celsius
Convert 225K to Fahrenheit

21. Density
Density is the ratio of the mass of the substance to its volume.
A substance can sometimes be identified by its density.
Standard units for solids and liquids are grams per milliliter.

22. Density Can use the density of a substance as a conversion factor.
Density of Aluminum = 2.70 g/mL.
Thus, every 1 mL of Al = 2.70 g.
What volume would a mass of a 452 gram block of Al occupy?

23. Density
A 2.50 gallon container of a liquid has a mass of 16.7 pounds. What is the density of the liquid in grams per milliliter?

24. Density
The density of gold is 19.3 g/mL. What is the mass in grams of a gold bar measuring 6.0 in. x 4.0 in. x 2.0 in.?