Learning Objectives

Practice using the metric system to measure length, volume, and weight
Create a density column
Identify significant figures
Differentiate between precision and accuracy
Demonstrate taring the container from a measurement

Depending on where you live or the environment in which you work, you may come across different measuring units. Some examples include Military vs. Standard time, Fahrenheit vs Celsius scales, Metric vs English system, and so on. The metric system is the measurement system used by scientists around the world. It is also known as the international system of units (SI), and can be used measure distances, volumes and weights. Conveniently, each prefix unit in the metric system has been defined by multiples of 10. This system of measurement is used to collect data by scientists.

It makes unit conversions easier to perform because you just need to multiply (or divide) by a power of 10. Division is used when converting smaller units to larger units, and multiplication is used when converting larger units to smaller units. Math equations and unit conversions will become very easy to work with once you have mastered these systems.