The Metric System 

If it’s highlighted then it is on the test. 

 
How did the metric system come about???? 
Before the metric system was established and accepted as 
the international units of measure, measurements varied from 
country to country. In many countries measuring systems were 
based on body parts. For example, an inch represents the width of 
a human thumb. In fact in many languages, the word inch and 
thumb are the same. Of course, the problem with this is that 
everyone’s thumb width is a different size. Therefore 
measurements would vary from person to person.  
The English developed their system of measurement based 
on rulers. Which is probably where they got the word “ruler” from. 
The foot was originally the length of a ruler’s foot. Although I can’t 
think of any one today who has an actual foot size of 12 inches. 
When you go home measure your Dad’s foot. See if his foot is 
close to 12 inches long. As each new ruler took over, the system of 
measurement changed according to the new rulers. Do you see 
any problem with this?   
Click Here to watch a video on the history of the metric system.  
It was the French who developed the metric system.​ These units 
are now called the International System of Units or SI units​. 
Unfortunately, the US ​Burma​, and ​Liberia​, have not fully accepted 
this as standard. I am sure in school you learned about gallons 
and pints, inches and feet. Units not used in the metric system. 
So unless you live outside this two countries you will need to 
convert. For someone my age it is very difficult for me to think in 
centimeters. My generation grew up on the traditional units of 
measure. Below is a chart of the units we will use most often in 
class.  
  
In science, we will ​ALWAYS​ use the ​SI units​.​ Therefore, you will 
need to become familiar with centimeters, liters, grams etc.  
 
 
Question   Answer 
Why do you think it is  So we do not have 
important for all scientist to  miscommunication and risk 
use the same units of  making huge errors.  
measure?  
 
Laboratory Investigation: Triple-Beam Balance 
 
Purpose: To learn how to measure the mass of an object using the 
triple-beam balance. 
Background Information: 
Mass ​is a measure of the amount of ​matter​ in an object.  
The basic Standard International or SI unit for mass is the 
kilogram (kg)​. Kilograms are used to measure the mass of very 
large objects. To measure the mass of a small object you need to 
use grams (g). ​There are 1,000 grams in a kilogram.​ ​A paperclip 
has a mass of about 1 gram. 
 Many people confuse mass and weight. This is probably 
because on Earth mass and weight are equal. ​Weight is actually a 
measure of the force of attraction between two objects due to 
gravity. ​ ​At sea level on Earth, mass and weight are equal.   
In reality, Weight Watchers should really be called Mass 
Watchers because the goal is really to lose mass. To lose mass you 
must lose matter (stuff) 
The gravity on the moon is 1/6 that on Earth. Therefore, if 
you were to travel to the moon you would have less weight 
because the pull of gravity on you wouldn’t be as strong. So if you 
want to lose weight really fast you could travel to the moon.   
Take your actual weight​ 95​ now divide it by 6. ​16 ​ This is what your 
weight would be on the moon. 
Your mass on the other hand can not be changed this quickly. 
Ask anyone who has ever been on a diet . ​To lose mass you need 
to lose matter.   
If you lose matter you also lose weight, but you can lose weight 
without losing matter. ​ ​CLICK THE LINK TO WATCH THE VIDEO​ ON 
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MASS AND WEIGHT. 
After watching the video answer these questions. 
 
 
Question   Answer 
1. Why did the character  He lost weight because the 
lose weight when he went  moon has less gravity than 
to the moon?  EArth therefore the pull was 
  less and he weighed less 
2. Are mass and weight ever  Yes they are the same on Earth 
equal? Explain.  . Which is why many people 
  think they are always the 
same. But we know now that 
on another planet your weight 
would be different because the 
gravity pull is different.  
   
 
  
The triple-beam balance is a single-pan balance with 3 beams  
(triple beam) calibrated in grams.   
The front beam is divided into 10 units of 1 gram each. Each of these units is further 
divided into units of 1/10 of a gram.   
The middle beam is divided into 5 units of 100 grams each.   
The back beam is divided into 10 units of 10 grams each. 

Object  Estimate  Your Answer  The 

answer 
from the 
electronic 
scale. 
1.graduated cylinder       
2. ruler       
3. cap       
4. calculator       
5. vial with top       
6. hardcover book       
 
7. beaker       
8. stapler       
9. goggles       
10. feather       
11. hole puncher       
12. pipette       
13. bottle of glue       
 
 
Conclusion:  
 
Question  Answer 
1. Which object had the most  the hardcover book 
mass?  
2. Which object had the least  pipette or feather 
mass?  
3. Did your estimates get closer  On your own 
to the actual measurement as 
you got more practice? Explain 
why? 
 
4. What is the basic SI unit of  kilogram 
measure for mass? 
 
5. What SI unit of mass will we  grams 
use most often in class? 
 
6. ​What tool do you use to  Triple beam balance 
measure mass? 
  
 
Review Lab Questions for Measuring Mass 
 
Question  Answer 
1. What is mass?  the amount of matter in an 
object 
2. How many grams are there  1,000 g 
in a kilogram?  
3. What is the basic unit of  Kilogram 
mass? 
4. What unit of measure were  grams 
we using during the lab?  
5. Explain the difference  Mass is the amount of matter 
between mass and weight?  and does not change if you 
  travel to a place with a 
different amount of gravity. 
Weight is based on the pull of 
gravity, Therefore changes 
when you go to a different 
planet 
6. What is the correct  grams (g) 
abbreviation for . . .. .   kilograms(kg) 
 
7. If you were to travel to  OMG!!! No. Your mass stays the 
Jupiter would your mass  same regardless of where you 
change? Explain.  are.  
7a If you were to travel to  YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Jupiter would your weight  Weight is affected gravity 
change? Explain. 
8. On a triple beam balance  pan 
where do you place the object to 
be measured?  
9. What part of the triple beam  beams 
balance holds the riders?  
10. What are the weights on  riders 
the triple beam balance called?  
11. If the pointer was above the  move the riders to the right 
indicator line, what would you  increase mass 
need to do?  
 
12. If the pointer was below the  move the riders to the left 
indicator line, what would you  decrease mass 
need to do? 
 
 
Laboratory Investigation Mass of a Liquid 
You already learned how to find the mass of a solid. Today, 
we are going to find the mass of a liquid. Because we cannot pour 
the liquid directly onto the pan of the triple beam balance, we will 
need to use a beaker to hold the water. Since the beaker also has 
mass, ​to find the mass of the water alone, you will need to 
subtract out the mass of the container. 
Problem​: What is the mass of 150.0 mL of water? 
Hypothesis​: Write your estimate in the data chart below. 
Materials​: triple-beam balance, beaker, water, graduated cylinder, 
calculator 
Procedure​: 
1. Use the graduated cylinder to fill the beaker to the 150.0 mL 
mark. 
2. Place the beaker on the pan of the triple-beam balance. 
3. Find its mass and record its mass in the data chart below. 
4. Pour the water into the sink. 
5. Find the mass of the empty beaker and record its mass in the 
data chart below. 
6. Subtract the mass of the empty beaker from the mass of the 
full beaker. 
*******The difference is the mass of the 150.0 mL of water. 
7. Use the same procedure to find the mass of 50.0 mL, 100.0 mL, 
and 250.0 mL of water. 
 
Data Chart: 
mL of  estimat mass of grad.  mass of  Difference= 
water  e  cylinder WITH  empty  mass of water 
water  grad. 
cylinder 

150.0 mL        150.0g 

50.0 mL        50.0g 

100.0 mL        100.0g 

250.0 mL        250.0g 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directions​: Answer the questions below. 
 
 
Question  Answer 

1. Does everyone need to use the same size  No. It doesn’t 

beaker to get the same final results?  matter what size 
beaker. 
Explain. 
 
2. What did you notice about the amount of  It’s EXACTLY THE 
mL of water and its mass?  same or very 
close. 
 
3. Complete 1.0 mL = 1.0g.  1.0 grams 
 
 
 
 
Laboratory Investigation: Mass of Secret Potion 
 
Purpose: To discover how to find the mass of a liquid. 
Background Information: 
You learned how to find the mass of a solid using the 
triple-beam balance. Yesterday, we learned how to find the mass 
of a liquid. 
 
To find the mass of a liquid you must . . .. . 
1. Find the mass of the empty container. 
2. Find the mass of the full container. 
3. Find the difference by subtracting. 
Now answer these questions. For each problem find the mass of 
the water. Round your answer the nearest ​tenth​. Don’t forget to 
include the correct unit of measure. 
 
 
Question  Answer 

1. The mass of an empty container is 50.0 g. The  100.0g 

mass of the container when filled is 150.0 g.   
Therefore, the mass of the liquid in the container 
must be 

2. The mass of an empty container is 67.0 g. The  322.0g 

mass of the container when filled is 389.0 g. 
Therefore, the mass of the liquid in the container 
must be 

3) 1.0 mL of water =  1.0 g 

 
4) 200.0 mL of water equals  200.0g 
 
5) 450.0 mL of water equals  450.0 g 
 
 
Laboratory Investigation Secret Potion 
Problem: ​Snow White from the fairy tale ​Snow White and the 
Seven Dwarfs​ has just eaten the apple poisoned by the wicked 
Queen. Unfortunately, the Prince is nowhere to be found. But 
there is hope for Snow White! Before you are 3 liquids. One liquid 
is the secret potion that can break the wicked Queen’s curse and 
save Snow White from eternal sleep. The other two liquids are 
poison. If Snow White drinks either one she will surely die. Can 
you choose the right liquid for Snow White to drink?   
 
Here’s a clue: The secret potion is the liquid with a mass of 
 
To choose the right liquid for Snow White to drink, you must find 
the mass of each of the three liquids.   
Remember, the secret potion is the liquid with the mass of 
_____g. 
 
Good Luck!!! 
Materials: triple-beam balance, 3 liquids, an empty container the 
same size and shape as the containers holding the three liquids.   
 
Procedure: (In list form, write the procedure you will use.) 
 
To find the mass of a POTION you must . . .. . 
4. Find the mass of the empty container. 
5. Find the mass of the full container. 
6. Find the difference by subtracting. 

 
Don’t forget to round your answers to the nearest tenth and to 
include the correct unit of measure. 
Data Chart: 
 
Mass of Container  Mass of empty  Mass of potion 

Container A    Green 

Container B    Blue 

Container C    Red 
 
   
Conclusion: The secret potion is the color  
Was different for every period 
 
 
Directions​: For each problem find the mass of the water. Round 
your answer the nearest ​tenth​. Don’t forget to include the correct 
unit of measure. 
 
 
Question   Answer 
1. A container has a mass of 0.5g. When the  1. 9.0 g 
container is filled with water it has a mass of   
9.5 g. What is the mass of the water?   
Did you need to add or subtract?   

2. A container has a mass of 10.5g. When the  7.4 g 

container is filled with water it has a mass of 
17.9 g. What is the mass of the water? 
__________ 
Did you need to add or ​subtract?    
 
3. A container has a mass of 10.3g. When the  45.5 g 
container is filled with water it has a mass of 
55.8 g. What is the mass of the water? 
__________ 
Did you need to add or subtract?   
 
   86.8 g 
4. A container has a mass of 0.9g. When the 
container is filled with water it has a mass of 
87.7 g. What is the mass of the water? 
__________ 
Did you need to add or ​subtract?    
 
5. A container has a mass of 0.2g. When the  1.1 g 
container is filled with water it has a mass of 1.3 
g. What is the mass of the water? 
__________ 
Did you need to add or ​subtract?    
 
6. Stanley loves caviar . This week at ​Stop and  The container 
Shop​ caviar was on sale for for $100.00 a gram.  had mass as 
well. 
Stanley bought only 2 grams, but he was charged 
$250.00 for two grams. He did not have to pay 
tax . Why did Stanley have to pay $50.00 extra?