SI System of Measurement
SI System of Measurement Why use the SI System? 1. Worldwide International System of measurement adopted in 1960, updated metric system 2. Convenient decimal system, uses multiples of 10 (like US currency) Qualitative vs. quantitative measurement: 1. qualitative relative comparison between two objects (e.g., height of desk vs. chair) 2. quantitative fixed measurement based on accepted standard, uses numbers and units Base vs. derived units: 1. base unit measured directly (e.g., length, mass) 2. derived unit calculated from base measurements (e.g., volume, density) Pass out rulers to class? Common SI Units Quantity SI unit Symbol Other units (metric) Symbol Instrument Length Meter* m ruler Mass Kilogram* kg balance Temperature Kelvin* K