Name: ______________________NP: ______
Date: ___________ Per.: ___________

METRIC SYSTEM

 

Since most of the world uses the metric system of measurement, it is important for us to understand how things are measure with this system. Measurement is one of the most important scientific activities to gather accurate quantitative data and the metric system is used by scientists around the world. It is easier than the English system because it is based on the multiples of 10 rather than 3 or 12 or 16. Let’s learn to “think metric” this year!

 

The metric terms are formed by combining numerical prefixes which tell you how many or what part of the units of length, mass or weight, or volume you are using. The prefixes and units must be memorized.


UNITS:            Length            =             Meter (m)            Prefixes:            milli-            prefix for .001

                        Weight/Mass = Gram (g)                                centi-            prefix for .01

                        Volume =            Liter (L)                               deci-            prefix for .1

                                                                                                kilo-             prefix for 1000.

 

 

UNITS

 

LENGTH: Unit of length is the meter (m)

1 millimeter (mm) = 0.001 m  ………. 1 m = 1000 mm
1 centimeter (cm) = 0.01 m   ………. 1 m =100 cm

1 decimeter (dm) = 0.1 m   ………. 1m = 10 dm
1 kilometer (km) = 1000. m   ………. 1 m = .001 km

 

1 micron (  ) = .001 mm         ………. 1 mm = 1000

 

WEIGHT or MASS: Unit of mass is the gram (g)

 

1 milligram (mg) = 0.001 g   ………. 1 g = 1000mg

1 centigram (cg) = 0.01 g   ………. 1 g = 100cg

1 decigram (dg) = 0.1 g   ………. 1 g = 10 dg

1 kilogram (kg) = 1000. g   ………. 1 g = .001 kg

 

VOLUME: Unit of Volume is the liter (L)

 

1 liter (L)            = 1000. mL   ………. 1 mL = .001 L

1 liter (L)m     = 1000. cubic centimeters (cc)  1 mL = 1 cc

 

TEMPERATURE: Unit of temperature is the Celsius degree

To convert temperature in Fahrenheit to Celsius: 5/9 ( F – 32) = _______ C

To convert temperature in Celsius to Fahrenheit: 9/5 C + 32 C = _______ F

 

Three temperatures to REMEMBER:                    0 C = 32 F
                                                                        100 C = 212 F

                                                                        37 C = 98.6 F

 

 

 

 

CONVERSION FACTORS: English and metric

 

            Length:   1 meter (m)            =39.37 inches (in) and 1 inch = 2.54 cm

                                    1 kilometer (km) = .62 miles (mi)

            Weight: 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lb)

            Volume:  1 Liter (L) = 1.057 quarts (qt)

 

1g H20 = 1 mL H20
1 cm^3 = 1 mL = 1 cc