The Metric System
“Why do we use/have to learn about the Metric System?” Almost all the countries in the world use
metric system. Other countries’ companies are refusing
to buy products from the U.S.A. if they are not labeled in metric units.
Scientists need a universal way to communicate data.
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“What does the Metric System measure?” Length - meters, m Mass - kilograms, kg (basic unit g)
Volume - liters, L Time - seconds, s Temperature - Celsius, ºC
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Volume For liquids, use a
graduated cylinder Measured in liters (L) Milliliters are more
common (mL)
For solids, use mathMeasured in cubic
centimeters (cm3)
l w
h
V = l · w · h cm3
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Important Conversions for Volume
1 cm3 = 1 mL A sugar cube has a
volume of 1 cm3, which is equal to 1 mL
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Kilo (k)1000units
Hecto (h)100units
Deka (dk)10
unitsBasic Unit
(m, g, L)Deci (d)
0.1units
Centi (c)0.01units
Milli (m)0.001units
Metric Conversion (Staircase Method)
To convert to a smaller unit, movedecimal point to the right
To convert to a larger unit, movedecimal point to the left
For example…7000 mg = ____ g
Step 1: Determine if you are going to go up or down the staircase.
Step 2: Determine how many steps there are from milligrams to grams.
Step 3: Move the decimal that many places.
Kilo (k)1000units
Hecto (h)100units
Deka (dk)10
unitsBasic Unit
(m, g, L)Deci (d)
0.1units
Centi (c)0.01units
Milli (m)0.001units
For example…7000 mg = ____ g
Step 1: Determine if you are going to go up or down the staircase.
Step 2: Determine how many steps there are from milligrams to grams.
Step 3: Move the decimal that many places.
Kilo (k)1000units
Hecto (h)100units
Deka (dk)10
unitsBasic Unit
(m, g, L)Deci (d)
0.1units
Centi (c)0.01units
Milli (m)0.001units
Let’s practice…
.15 L = _________ mL
20 cm = _________ m
.47 km = _________ mm