Basic tools used for science

1. Tools Used For Measurement

2. Units and Tools of Measurement
Type of Measurement Unit/ Abbreviation Tool Used
Length Meter, m Meter Stick, measuring
tape
Mass Kilogram, kg Electronic scale or
balance
Volume Liter, l Graduated Cylinder
Time Seconds, s Stopwatch or clock
Temperature Celsius ° C, Kelvin °K Thermometer

3. Length
• Measurement of
distance
• How long or how far
something is
• Can measure with a
meter stick, measuring
tape
• SI Unit is the Meter

4. Length Comparison
SI Unit of Measurement Used Here Centimeters
Compliments of Slideshare Kermis June 5, 2008

5. Mass
• The amount of material
in an object
• Can measure on a scale
or balance
• SI unit is the Kilogram
• Electronic balances can
detect measurements
to the nearest
hundredths or
thousandths place

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7. Volume
• The amount of space an
object or material takes
up
• Can used a graduated
cylinder, syringe, buret,
pipet, or volumetric flask
• SI Unit is the Liter
• Volume= L X W X H
• Volume can also be
determined by Compliments of Slideshare Kermis June 5, 2008
displacement of water

8. Volume- Meniscus
Meniscus is the curvature of
the liquid in the container
Need to get eyelevel with
liquid and read the low
point of the meniscus as
seen here
This can be a source of error
if not read properly

9. Time
• Units of the day
• How long or short
something takes; events
in the past, present and
future
• Measured with a stop
watch or clock
• SI Unit is seconds
• Often need to consider
significant figures-
fractions of a second

10. Temperature
• How hot or cold a
material is; the average
kinetic energy of a
material
• SI Unit- Celsius, Kelvin
• Tool used- thermometer

11. Compliments of Slideshare Kermis June 5, 2008