Metric Conversions in Physical Science

Metric Conversions

Introduction

• Physical science relies heavily on the use of the metric system for measuring physical quantities
• Understanding metric conversions is essential for accurate calculations and comparisons

Conversion Factors

• Length
  • 1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm)
  • 1 kilometer (km) = 1000 meters (m)
• Mass
  • 1 kilogram (kg) = 1000 grams (g)
• Volume
  • 1 liter (L) = 1000 milliliters (mL)
• Temperature
  • Celsius (°C) to Fahrenheit (°F): °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
  • Kelvin (K) to Celsius (°C): K = °C + 273.15

Conversion Steps

1. Identify the given unit and the desired unit
2. Determine the conversion factor (ratio of given unit to desired unit)
3. Multiply the given value by the conversion factor
4. Simplify the result to obtain the converted value

Examples

• Convert 250 cm to meters: 250 cm × (1 m / 100 cm) = 2.5 m
• Convert 500 g to kilograms: 500 g × (1 kg / 1000 g) = 0.5 kg
• Convert 25°C to Fahrenheit: (25°C × 9/5) + 32 = 77°F

Metric Conversions

Importance of Metric Conversions

• Physical science relies heavily on the metric system for measuring physical quantities
• Understanding metric conversions is essential for accurate calculations and comparisons

Conversion Factors

Length

• 1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm)
• 1 kilometer (km) = 1000 meters (m)

Mass

• 1 kilogram (kg) = 1000 grams (g)

Volume

• 1 liter (L) = 1000 milliliters (mL)

Temperature

• Celsius (°C) to Fahrenheit (°F): °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
• Kelvin (K) to Celsius (°C): K = °C + 273.15

Conversion Steps

• Identify the given unit and the desired unit
• Determine the conversion factor (ratio of given unit to desired unit)
• Multiply the given value by the conversion factor
• Simplify the result to obtain the converted value

Conversion Examples

• 250 cm to meters: 250 cm × (1 m / 100 cm) = 2.5 m
• 500 g to kilograms: 500 g × (1 kg / 1000 g) = 0.5 kg
• 25°C to Fahrenheit: (25°C × 9/5) + 32 = 77°F

Metric Conversions

• 1 meter (m) is equal to 100 centimeters (cm) and 1000 millimeters (mm)
• 1 kilometer (km) is equal to 1000 meters (m)
• 1 liter (L) is equal to 1000 milliliters (mL)
• 1 cubic meter (m³) is equal to 1000 liters (L)
• 1 gram (g) is equal to 1000 milligrams (mg)
• 1 kilogram (kg) is equal to 1000 grams (g)
• 1 second (s) is equal to 1000 milliseconds (ms)
• 1 minute (min) is equal to 60 seconds (s)
• 1 hour (h) is equal to 60 minutes (min)

Scientific Notation and Standard Notation

• Scientific notation is a shorthand way to represent very large or very small numbers
• Scientific notation format: a × 10^n, where 1 ≤ a < 10 and n is an integer
• Examples of scientific notation: 3.2 × 10^5, 4.5 × 10^-3
• Standard notation is the usual way of writing numbers
• Examples of standard notation: 320,000, 0.0045

Scientific Method

• Identify a problem or question
• Formulate a specific question to investigate
• Gather information and background knowledge
• Propose a possible explanation or solution
• Plan and outline the steps to test the hypothesis
• Carry out the experiment as planned
• Examine the results and draw conclusions
• Summarize the findings and determine if the hypothesis was supported
• Share the results with others

Independent and Dependent Variables

• Independent variable: the variable that is intentionally changed or manipulated by the experimenter
• Dependent variable: the variable that is being measured or observed in response to the independent variable
• Example: How does the amount of sunlight (independent variable) affect the growth of a plant (dependent variable)?

Chemistry

• Atoms: the smallest units of matter that retain the properties of an element
• Atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons
• Molecules: groups of atoms that are chemically bonded together
• Elements: substances that consist of only one type of atom
• Compounds: substances that consist of two or more different elements
• Chemical reactions: processes that involve the transformation of one or more substances into new substances