Louisiana Interactive Science, Chap 2 Lesson 1, 8th Grade

Metric System

standard measurement system based on the number 10

International System of Units (SI)

version of metric system used by scientists

What does using SI as the standard system of measurement allow scientists to do?

compare data and communicate with each other about the results of scientific investigations

Mass

measure of the amount of matter in an object

What is the basic SI unit of measuring mass?

kilogram (kg)

Weight

measure of the force of gravity acting on an object

Volume

amount of space taken up by an object or substance

What is the basic SI unit for measuring volume

cubic meter (m3)

Meniscus

curve of the liquid

Density

measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume

What is the SI unit for density?

kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3)

How do scientists commonly express density?

grams per milliliter (g/mL) or grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3)

What is the SI unit to measure time?

seconds (s)

What is the official SI unit for temperature?

kelvin (K)

What does the Kelvin scale start at?

0 K (absolute zero) and only goes up

What is the basic SI unit for measuring length?

meter (m)

What is the basic SI unit for measuring weight?

measure of force called the newton (N)