THE METRIC SYSTEM History of the Metric System

THE METRIC SYSTEM

History of the Metric System n Originally called: Systeme Internationale d’Unites n Developed in France way back in 1791 so that there would be a standard measurement system for everyone. n The World Standards Committee modernized it in 1960

WHY DO WE USE THE METRIC SYSTEM? Almost all other countries are using the metric system (So what? ) n Other countries’ companies are refusing to buy products from the U. S. if not labeled in metric units (Yikes! Fair or Unfair? ) n Scientists need a universal way to communicate data (Why is that important? ) n

APPROXIMATE CONVERSIONS BETWEEN METRIC & US LENGTH UNITS n A meter is about the same length as a yard n A meter is about three feet long n 1 and a half kilometers is about a mile n An inch is about 25 millimeters n A foot contains about 30 centimeters n Apps that do it for you. . . Metrics Conversion Android I have this one! Converter Apple

WHAT DOES THE METRIC SYSTEM MEASURE? n The gram measures mass or how much something weighs; triple beam balance n The meter measures the length of an object or the distance from place to place; meter stick n The square meter measures the area of a space; meter stick n The volume of solids are measured in cubic centimeters. The volume of liquids are measured in liters; graduated cylinder n Degrees Celsius measures temperature; thermometer n And time is truly universal: seconds…; clock

“King Henry Doesn’t Usually Drink Chocolate Milk” n Prefixes for the metric system: u Kilou Hectou Deka (deca)u Base unitu Deciu Centiu Milli-

THE METRIC CONVERSION CHART (STAIRCASE METHOD) Kilo x 1000 Hecto units x 100 Deka units x 10 To convert to a smaller unit, move decimal point to the right or multiply. Basic Unit Deci x 0. 1 Centi units x 0. 01 Milli units x 0. 001 units To convert to a larger unit, move decimal point to the left or divide units

USING THE STAIRCASE METHOD 1 g 1000 mg = ______ Step 1: Determine if you are going to go up (left) or down (right) the ladder. starting at mg you go up the ladder to g Step 2: Determine how many steps there are from milligrams to grams. count the steps, there are 3 Step 3: Move the decimal point the number of steps in the same direction that was determined in steps 1 & 2. 1000. = 1. 000

TRY THIS USING THE STAIRCASE METHOD. 15 L = _____ ml

TRY THIS USING THE STAIRCASE METHOD. 15 L = _____ ml 150