1. Measurement: Tools and Units

2. Length Unit: meter (m) Also Common: km, cm, mm
Length is a measure of distance.
Tool: Meter Stick, Ruler
1 meter = 100 cm = 1000 mm

3. To Find the Length of an object:
Determine what scale the measurement is in.
Line up one end of the object with “zero” (be careful here!).
Read the mark where the other end of the object is. Estimate between marks. cm 1 2 3 4 5

4. Mass Unit: gram (g) Also Common: kg, mg
Mass is the measure of how much matter is in an object.
Tool: Triple-Beam Balance

5. Mass NOTE!!! Mass is NOT the same thing as weight! On the moon…
Mass is a measure of how much matter is in an object.
Weight is a force that can be calculated based on an object’s mass.
On the moon…
A person will have the
same mass as on Earth
A person will weigh less
than on Earth

6. To Find the Mass of an Object:
1 – Zero the Balance
Make sure the Pan is clean. Move the sliders to zero and make sure the pointer lines up with the zero line.
2 – Place the Object on the Pan
3 – Move the Sliders until the Pointer lines up with the Zero Line
Start with 100’s slider, then 10’s, then 1’s.
4 – Add the Sliders together

7. The “Cup” Method
If you are trying to find the mass of an object that will not stay on the pan (marble):
Place an empty cup on the pan and find its mass.
Place the object in the cup and find the new mass.
Subtract the mass of the cup (1) from the mass of the object and cup together (2). You are left with the mass of the object.

8. Volume Unit: Liter (L) Also Common: mL, cm3, cc
Volume is a measure of how much space something takes up.
Tool: Graduated Cylinder
Meniscus: the curve that the liquid makes inside the cylinder
Read the bottom of the curve!
Volume can also be calculated by a mathematical formula (depending on shape)

9. Volume by Displacement
Used for finding the volume of irregularly shaped objects (object cannot float in water)
Record the beginning water level.
Carefully slide the object into the graduated cylinder.
Record the new water level.
The change in water level is equal to the volume of the object.

10. Temperature Unit: Degrees Celsius(⁰C) Also Common: Kelvin (K)
Temperature is a measure of the speed of the particles in a substance
Tool: Thermometer
Usually, the thermometer is filled with red alcohol that will expand or contract depending on the kinetic energy of the molecules.

11. Time Unit: Seconds (s) Tool: Stop Watch
Also Common: Minutes (min), Hours (hr)
Tool: Stop Watch
Press blue button to turn on.
Press yellow button once to start timing.
Press yellow button once to stop timing.
Press blue button to re-set time to zero.

12. Density
Unit: grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3) or grams per milliliter (g/mL)
Density is a value that represents how tightly packed the particles are in a substance
Calculated, not measured!
d = m/v
Density equals mass divided by volume m d v