1. T. Trimpe 2008 http://sciencespot.net/
Measuring in the
Science
Laboratory
T. Trimpe

2. Ruler: http://www.k12math.com/math-concepts/measurement/ruler-cm.jpg
Measuring Length
Length- is measured with a ruler or a meter stick.
Common units for length are meters, centimeters, millimeters.
How many millimeters are in 1 centimeter?
1 cm = 10 mm
Ruler:

3. Measuring Volume Volume is the amount of space an object takes up.
There are 3 different ways to measure volume:
A. Volume of a liquid
B. Volume of a regular solid
C. Volume of an irregular solid
A B C

4. A. Measuring Volume of a Liquid
We will be using a graduated cylinder to measure the volume of liquid.
First, place the graduated cylinder on a level surface. The surface of the liquid will form a curve called the meniscus.
The volume is read from the bottom of the
meniscus.
When using a graduated cylinder, make sure you are at eye-level with the level of the water.
The units used when measuring with a
graduated cylinder are called milliliters.
Top Image: Bottom Image:

5. B. Measuring Volume of a Regular Solid
10 cm
9 cm
8 cm
We can measure the volume of regular object using the formula length x width x height.
The units when measuring a regular solid are cm3.
10 cm
8 cm
9 cm
720 cm3
_____ X _____ X _____ = _____

6. C. Measuring Volume of an Irregular Solid
We can measure the volume of irregular object using water displacement.
When an object is submerged in water, the water level will rise. The amount the water level rises is equal to the volume of the object.
This is called displacement.
The units when measuring an irregular solid are millimeters.
Amount of H2O with object = ______ About of H2O without object = ______ Difference = Volume = ______
69 ml
65 ml
4 ml
Why is this method accurate?
1 ml = 1 cm3

7. Temperature Temperature is measured with a thermometer.
Do not shake the thermometer down before using.
Measure temperature by leaving the bulb of the thermometer below the surface of a liquid.
Do not let thermometer touch bottom or sides of container. (See diagram in notes)
Read the thermometer at eye level. Watch column in the thermometer unit it stops moving.
Units for temperature are degrees Celsius (0C)

8. English vs. Metric Units
Which is larger?
A. 1 liter or 1 gallon
B. 1 liter or 1 quart
C. 1 milliliter or 1 fluid ounce
1 fl oz = ml
1 12-oz can of soda would equal approximately 355 ml.
1 gallon = 3.79 liters
It would take approximately 3 ¾ 1-liter bottles to equal a gallon.
1 quart = liters

9. Measuring Liquid Volume
What is the volume of water in each cylinder?
Images created at A B C
Pay attention to the scales for each cylinder.

10. Click the image to watch a short video about volume.
Metric Units kL cL mL L
Volume is the amount of space an object takes up.
The base unit of volume in the metric system in the liter and is represented by L or l.
Standard: 1 liter is equal to one cubic decimeter
Metric Units
1 liter (L) = 1000 milliliters (mL)
1 milliliter (mL) = 1 cm3 (or cc) = 1 gram*
Which is larger?
Click the image to watch a short video about volume.
A. 1 liter or 1500 milliliters
B. 200 milliliters or 1.2 liters
C. 12 cm3 or 1.2 milliliters*
* When referring to water Liter Image: