Measurement and Significant Figures

Pre-lab Study Questions

1. What are the standard units of length, mass, volume, and temperature in the metric (SI) system? Meter, gram, liter, degrees Celsius/ Kelvins, second 2. Why is the metric system called a decimal system of measurement? The metric system is a decimal system in which measurements of each type are related by factors of 10. 3. What is the purpose of using prefixes in the metric system? Prefixes are attached in front of a standard unit for larger and smaller measurements. 4. Give the name or the abbreviation for each metric unit listed. State the property that is it measures.

Name of unit Measured

Liter centimeter kilometer milligram

Abbreviation Property
L cm km mg volume length length mass

5. What is the advantage to using the metruic system over the English system?

The metric system has one standard unit for each type of measurement while the U.S. system of measurement uses many units. Report Sheet - Lab 1 A. Measuring Length

A.1 What units are represented by the numbers marked on the meter stick? cm What do the small lines marked on the meter stick represent? cm Complete the following statements: There are ___100____ centimeters (cm) in 1 meter (m). There are __1000_____ millimeters (mm) in 1 meter (m). There are ___10____ millimeters (mm) in 1 centimeter (cm). A.2 Fill in the lengths below and include units: (hint: for your wrist use a piece of string and then measure the string) Item Length

Width of little fingernail 8 mm Distance around your wrist 6.25 inches

Length of your shoe Your height

240 mm 172.72 cm

A.4 Measure the length of the following line: |------------------------------------------------| Your measurement 1.8 inches

Questions and Problems

Q.1 Why could the measured values obtained by other students be different from yours?

Everyone has different sizes of shoes, different waist measurements and height as well as different shaped fingerssome being wider or more narrow than others. B. Measuring Volume
B.1 Volume of a Liquid Using the exercise module, Volumetric Measuring Module, determine the volumes in the three graduated cylinders: Cylinder 1 Cylinder 2 Cylinder 3 ____5.7 mL__________ ____41 mL___________ ___66 mL____________

Which cylinder would be the best choice for measuring the volume of water in a small test tube? Explain. B.3 Volume of a solid by volume displacement Using the exercise module, Density of a Solid Demonstration, determine the volumes requested below including units:

Volume of water ____20 mL_______________ Volume of water and submerged solid _____30 mL______________ Volume of solid _____10 mL_____________

C. Measuring Mass

Using the exercise module, Mass Measuring Module, determine the masses requested below: The units on the scale are in grams C.1 Beaker ____50g__________ Stopper _______11g_______ Evaporating dish ______31g_______