THE METRIC SYSTEM

History of the Metric System Originally called: Systeme Internationale d’Unites Developed in France way back in 1791 so that there would be a standard measurement system for everyone. The World Standards Committee modernized it in 1960

WHY DO WE USE THE METRIC SYSTEM? Almost all other countries are using the metric system (So what?) Other countries’ companies are refusing to buy products from the U.S. if not labeled in metric units (Yikes! Fair or Unfair?) Scientists need a universal way to communicate data (Why is that important?)

APPROXIMATE CONVERSIONS BETWEEN METRIC & US LENGTH UNITS A meter is about the same length as a yard A meter is about three feet long 1 and a half kilometers is about a mile An inch is about 25 millimeters A foot contains about 30 centimeters Apps that do it for you... Metrics Conversion Android Converter Apple I have this one!

WHAT DOES THE METRIC SYSTEM MEASURE? The gram measures mass or how much something weighs; triple beam balance The meter measures the length of an object or the distance from place to place; meter stick The square meter measures the area of a space; meter stick The volume of solids are measured in cubic centimeters. The volume of liquids are measured in liters; graduated cylinder Degrees Celsius measures temperature; thermometer And time is truly universal: seconds…; clock

“King Henry Doesn’t Usually Drink Chocolate Milk” Prefixes for the metric system: Kilo- Hecto- Deka (deca)- Base unit- Deci- Centi- Milli-

THE METRIC CONVERSION CHART (STAIRCASE METHOD) To convert to a smaller unit, move decimal point to the right or multiply. Kilo x1000 units Hecto x100 units Deka x10 units Basic Unit Deci x0.1 units Centi x0.01 units Milli x0.001 units To convert to a larger unit, move decimal point to the left or divide

USING THE STAIRCASE METHOD 1000 mg = ______ g 1 Step 1: Determine if you are going to go up (left) or down (right) the ladder. starting at mg you go up the ladder to g Step 2: Determine how many steps there are from milligrams to grams. count the steps, there are 3 Step 3: Move the decimal point the number of steps in the same direction that was determined in steps 1 & 2. 1000. = 1.000

TRY THIS USING THE STAIRCASE METHOD .15 L = __________ ml

TRY THIS USING THE STAIRCASE METHOD .15 L = __________ ml 150