Liquid A
Laboratory investigations often require taking metric measurements with different types of instruments. These measurements include length, volume, mass, weight, and temperature. This online lab will explore the instruments and units used to perform these measurements.
Click the Activity button below to access the Measurement Online Lab worksheet. When you have completed this worksheet, submit it to your teacher.
Read the information on each tab below. Be sure to perform the measurements and record them on the accompanying worksheet.
Measuring Length Using a Ruler
Measuring Volume Using a Cylinder
Measuring Temperature
Measuring Mass and Weight
A ruler is the most common tool used to measure the length of small objects.
A ruler usually has inches, abbreviated "in," along one edge and centimeters, abbreviated "cm," along the other edge.
Click image to view abbreviations.
Measuring tools such as rulers have small lines, which need to be carefully read in order to make a measurement. Each inch on a ruler is divided into sixteenths, and each centimeter on a ruler is divided into tenths, so that each small line on the centimeter side of the ruler has a value of 0.1 cm.
For example, the length in centimeters of this line segment is 2.31 cm; however, correct answers can be between 2.30 and 2.40 cm with two numbers after the decimal point.
Click image to enlarge.
The ruler contains marks for tenths of a centimeter (millimeters). Using this ruler, the same line segment may be measured as 2.32 cm. The measurer can estimate the hundredths digit because of the certainty of the tenths digit, indicated by the small lines.
Measure the length of each object in centimeters (cm) using the provided metric ruler on each slide. The precision of this metric ruler is to the hundredth digit, which means that each measurement will have two digits after the decimal point. Record your answers on your assignment worksheet.
Nail
Drag the ruler to measure the object Leaf
Drag the ruler to measure the object Dragonfly
Drag the ruler to measure the object |
The volume of a liquid is measured in milliliters (mL) with a graduated cylinder. Graduated cylinders come in many different sizes, and their lines of measure (called graduations) can have different values, depending on the size of the cylinder.
The liquid line on a graduated cylinder is often curved due to the physical properties of water. This curved line is called a meniscus. The location of the lowest point of the meniscus is used to determine the volume in a graduated cylinder.
For example, the volume in milliliters of the liquid in this graduate cylinder is 18.3; however, correct answers can be between 18.0 and 19.0 with one number after the decimal point.
The cylinder contains marks for every 1 mL. Using this graduated cylinder, this same volume of liquid can be measured as 18.4 mL. The measurer can estimate the tenths digit because of the certainty of the whole number, indicated by the small lines.
Measure the volume of liquid in each graduated cylinder in milliliters (mL). Record your answers on your assignment worksheet.
Liquid B
Liquid C
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles that make up matter and is often measured in degrees Celsius (°C).
Measure the temperatures in degrees Celsius shown on the thermometers below. Record your answers on your assignment worksheet.
Thermometer A
Thermometer B
Thermometer C
Mass is the amount of matter in an object and is often measured in grams. Weight is the force of gravity acting on an object and is often measured in newtons. Weight changes depending on the force of gravity.
When scientists measure weight and mass, they use different methods because they are measuring different things. When scientists measure mass, they use a balance. Generally, weight is measured on a spring scale.
Triple-Beam
Balance
The manual balance, like the triple-beam balance, compares the mass of an object to known masses on sliders that are moved until both sides of the instrument are balanced.
Electronic
Balance
The electronic balance is also used to measure the mass of objects in grams and requires a power source. It is easy to use as the object is placed on the pan, and its mass appears on the screen.
Spring
Scale
The weight of an object is determined by using a scale where springs are deformed by the object’s force. The stronger the force, the higher the weight.
You may be familiar with the spring scale because it is the kind of measuring device used in the supermarket to weigh vegetables and fruit.
Just as inch (in), foot (ft), and yard (yd) are customary units to measure length, weight has customary units such as ounce (oz), pound (lb), and ton.
The dashes between whole numbers represent fractions of a pound. The largest line, which is in the center between any two whole numbers, represents \({ \frac{1}{2} }\). The lines that are slightly smaller than the \({ \frac{1}{2} }\) line represent \({ \frac{1}{4} }\). The lines that are slightly smaller than the \({ \frac{1}{4} }\) lines represent \({ \frac{1}{8} }\). The smallest lines on the scale each represent \({ \frac{1}{6} }\).
Click image to enlarge.
For example, the weight indicated on this scale is 2 \({ \frac{1}{4} }\) pounds.
Measure the weight in pounds shown on the scales below. Record your answers on your assignment worksheet.
Scale A
Scale B
Spring Scale
