The Wonderful World of Metrics!

Introduction The metric system is a different way of measuring things. The practice is the same, but different units are involved. Can you think of any metric measurements that you have seen or heard?

The “Basics” The metric system uses SI base units as a foundation. Those units are….. Meter (m) – a measure of distance Liter (L) – a measure of volume Kilogram (kg) – a measure of mass  (this is the only one that uses a prefix! More on that soon…) Second (s) – a measure of time Kelvin (K) – a measure of temperature Mole (mol) – a measure of an amount Amp (A) – Measure of current

The “Basics” Every measurement will include one of the base words. The metric system uses Prefixes too. Every prefix is related to the base units. But how is that possible…

Pioneering the Prefixes Lets start with the prefixes for large measurements…. KILO (k) 1 kilometer = 1000 meters HECTO (h) 1 Hectoliter = 100 liters DECA (da) 1 Decagram = 10 grams Remember Meters, Liters, Grams, and Seconds are the base units. They will be in every measurement.

Pioneering the Prefixes How about the small measurements… DECI (d) – 1 decimeter = 1/10 meter CENTI (c) – 1 centiliter = 1/100 liter MILLI (m) – 1 milligram = 1/1000 gram Remember, these prefixes are always added to the base root word But that’s so confusing….isn’t there an easier way to remember all this?

Good ol’ King Henry King Henry Died by Drinking Chocolate Milk Kilo Hecto Deca Base Deci Centi Milli Can you Think of your own?

Converting Skillz When you are converting from one unit to another unit  First figure out what you are starting with  Then where (which direction) you are going! If you move to the right (aka big to small) then you move the decimal to the right. If you move to the left (aka small to big) then you move the decimal to the left.

Practice makes Perfect! Try this one. 1 meter = ______ hectometer 1 st - Figure out your starting point and where you are going! K h da b d c m 2 nd – Find the Decimal and move it the same way and number you moved in step 1.

Practice makes Perfect! And this one. 2.5 kilograms = ______ grams 1 st - Figure out your starting point and where you are going! K h da b d c m 2 nd – Find the Decimal and move it the same way and number you moved in step 1.

Practice makes Perfect! Last one! deciliters = ______ decaliters 1 st - Figure out your starting point and where you are going! K h da b d c m 2 nd – Find the Decimal and move it the same way and number you moved in step 1.

Precision vs Accuracy Precision  A measure of the degree to which the measurements made (and made in the same way) agree with each other Accuracy  Degree to which the experimental value agrees with the true or accepted value So, can measurements be precise without being accurate?

Precision vs Accuracy