Overview:
The metric system is an international system of measuring length, mass, and capacity. Units are standardized and based upon the decimal system. The metric system is used many places around the world, as well as in science.
How Is Length Measured in the Metric System?
Length in the metric system is measured by the meter, and multiples and fractions of the meter. In conventional measurements, a meter is 39.37 inches long, or a little over a yard. One of the common measurements of distance is the kilometer, about 3/5 of a mile. It is 1000 meters long. Very small distances are measured by the centimeter, which there are 100 of in a meter, and the millimeter, which there are 1000 of in a meter.
How Is Mass Measured in the Metric System?
Mass (or weight) is measured by fractions and multiples of the gram. While one gram is about the weight of an aspirin tablet, one kilogram, 1000 grams, is the weight of a quart of milk. In fact, 1 kilogram is about 2.2 pounds in conventional measurement. The dosages of medicines are often measured in milligrams.
How Is Capacity Measured in the Metric System?
Liquids are measured in the metric system in terms of a liter, which is about 1.06 quarts in conventional measurement. Many students might be familiar with 2 liter bottles of soda that are packaged in stores as an alternative to quart bottles. Smaller fractions of liters, such as the milliliter, ( abbreviated mL) is a common measurement for very small quantities.
What Do the Prefixes Mean in the Metric System?
One of the advantages with the metric system is that the prefixes that stand for fractions and multiples are the same throughout the system, whether length, mass, or capacity are being measured. The quantities are always multiples or fractions of 10. A kilometer is 1000 meters, a kilogram is 1000 grams, and a kiloliter is 1000 liters. At the opposite end, a centimeter is 1/100 of a meter, a centigram is 1/100 of a gram, and a centiliter if 1/100 of a liter. It is much easier to change milligrams to centigrams, or kilograms to grams, just by moving decimal points.
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