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Chapter 3 - Scientific Measurement

This document provides an overview of scientific measurement and units. It discusses the metric system and SI base units for length, mass, time, temperature, amount of substance, electric current, and luminosity. Metric prefixes are explained along with derived units for volume, density, temperature, and other quantities. Methods for problem solving, dimensional analysis, and significant figures are covered. Graphs are introduced as a way to represent data visually.

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602 views30 pages

Chapter 3 - Scientific Measurement

This document provides an overview of scientific measurement and units. It discusses the metric system and SI base units for length, mass, time, temperature, amount of substance, electric current, and luminosity. Metric prefixes are explained along with derived units for volume, density, temperature, and other quantities. Methods for problem solving, dimensional analysis, and significant figures are covered. Graphs are introduced as a way to represent data visually.

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Chapter 3

Scientific Measurement

Units of measurement

Units are important because they tell us what the


number represents

SI Units

Revised metric system


Base Units: units of measure as a basic set from which all
other units are derived
Time
second
Reasons for metric system
Length
meter
Everyone else uses it
Base 10 system
Same prefixes for all measurements

s
m

Mass

kilogram

kg

Temperature

Kelvin

Amount of a substance

mole

mol

Electric Current

Ampere

Luminosity

candela

cg

Metric Prefixes
Same set of prefixes used with all units
Prefixes abbreviated with units
gigamegakilodecicentimillimicronano-

G
M
k
d
c
m

1 Gm = 1,000,000,000 m
1 Mm = 1,000,000 m
1 km = 1000 m
10 dm = 1m
100 cm = 1 m
1000mm = 1m
1,000,000 m = 1m
1,000,000,000 nm = 1m

Derived Units
Volume

Space occupied by an object


Cubic meter m3

Liter

1000 mL = 1L
1 mL = 1cm3 = 1cc (medicine)

Density

Ratio of the mass of an object to its volume


D = mass/volume = m/v = g/mL = g/cm3

Temperature

A measurement of the intensity of the heat in an object


Celsius: more convenient than Kelvin

Based on the freezing point and boiling point of water


Water freezes at 0C (273 K) and boils at 100C (373 K)

Kelvin SI base unit for temperature


Positive temperature scale
K = C +273
C= K - 273

F = (1.8 x C) + 32
C = ( F 32) / 1.8

Problem Solving Process


1. The problem
- Read the problem
- Identify the known and unknown; what will you be solving for? (unit)

2. Analyze the Problem


- Identify and list the given values
- Gather information that will help you
- Plan the steps that will help you follow

3. Calculate (solve for the unknown)


Using an equation
- isolate the unknown
- substitute into the equation
OR
Without equation
- start with the known
- Use dimensional analysis
4. Evaluate Your Answer
- is the answer reasonable
- Check for units and significant figures

Dimensional Analysis
Problem solving method
Use the units to solve the problem in a series of steps
Conversion factors set the transition to each new unit
Conversion factor
Ratio of equivalent values used to express the same quantity in different units
Example: 1 gal = 4 quarts or 12 inches = 1 foot
Ratio always equal to 1
Unit changes without changing the quantity

Conversion Factors
1 lb. = 453.59 g
1 in = 2.54 cm
1 gal = 3.78 L
1 mi = 5280 ft.

1 kg = 2.21 lb
1 km = 0.621 mi
1 qt = 946 mL
1 gal = 4 qt

Practice
Convert 3.51 in to m

A race car travels at 225.5 mph. Convert to m/s

A material has a density of 0.103 g/mL and a mass of 6.142 g. What's


the volume of the substance in cm3?

More Practice

Scientific Notation
Used to express large and small number
Written as a product of two number: a coefficient and 10 raised to a
power (exponent)

3.45 x 106 m
Coefficient:
A number between 1 -10

Exponent:
- A whole number
- Equal to the number of decimal
places moved

** If the original number > 10 positive exponent


** If the original number < 1 negative exponent

Examples
504,000,000,000,000,000,000 m

1. Establish a
coefficient

2. Move decimal and set exponent

Written in Scientific Notation:


5.04 x 1020 m

Reliability of Measurement
Accuracy
How close a measurement is to the accepted value
** Depends on the instrument

Precision
How close a series of measurements are to one another
The repeatability of the measurements
Depends on careful, skillful measuring techniques
**Depends on person

Significant Figures
All of the digits known precisely from the instrument plus one
carefully estimated digit
Used to indicate the precision of measurements

Significant Figures Counting Rules


A number is significant if it is:
1. A non-zero digit
24.7 m
714

3 sig figs
3 sig figs

2. A zero between non zero digits (between sig figs)


7003 g
1.5001

4 sig figs
5 sig figs

3. A zero at the end of the measurement and to the right of the decimal
7.000 L

4 sig figs

4. Any digit written in scientific notation


5.70 x 10 -3

3 sig figs

A number is not significant if it is:

1. A zero at the beginning of a decimal number


0.001 s
1 sig fig
0.01035 s 4 sig figs

2. A zero at the end of the measurement and to the left of the decimal
7000 m
3300 m

1 sig fig
2 sig figs

Rounding of Numbers
Results from calculations involving measurements must be rounded to the
correct number of significant figures

Simple Rounding
If the digit to the immediate right of the last significant figure
is less than 5, do not change the last significant figure
Round 4.38291625m to 3 sig figs 4.38
43829.1625m 43800m

If the digit to the immediate right of the last significant figure


is greater than 5, round up to the last significant figure
Round 4.38291625m to 4 sig figs 4.383 m
0.00438291620m 0.004383

Practice: Round to 3 sig figs


1. 4039.472

2. 0.0098735867

3. 2901456899

Sig Figs Rounding Rules


For Addition & Subtraction
Round to the least precise decimal place

5.2 m
+ 1.375 m
6.575m

Precise to first decimal place


Precise to third decimal place
Round to least precise place

Final Answer: 6.6m

Practice: Addition/Subtraction
3.44 + 5.01 + 50 =

12040 + 317 =

Sig Figs Rounding Rules


For Multiplication & Division
Round to the least number of significant figures

7.55 m
x 0.34 m
2.567 m2

3 Sig Figs
2 Sigs Figs
Round answer to 2 sig figs

Final Answer: 2.6m2

Practice: Multiplication/Division
3500. cm x 2.95 cm =

0.112 g / 2.0 mL =

Representing Data
Graphing helps reveal if a pattern
exists
Graph: visual display of data

Types of graphs
Circle Graph

Shows parts that add to 100%


Each piece of data has its own wedge

Bar Graph

Shows how a quantity varies over time, location or temperature


Each piece of data has its own bar

Line Graph

Most commonly used in chemistry


Useful for showing relationship between independent and dependent variables

Independent variable: x-axis


Dependent variable: y-axis
Line cannot pass through all the scattered points, so the # of point above
the line should match the # below the line (Line of best fit)

Interpreting Graphs
Slope of a Line
When best fit line is straight
The variables have a linear relationship

Positive slope: indicates a direct


proportion
Negative slope: inverse proportion
When curved, variables have a non
linear relationship

Reading from a graph


Interpolation: reading values between measured points
Extrapolation: estimated values beyond measured points by
extending the line

Percent Error
The percent that a measured value differs from the accepted value

% error =

| |

Using the absolute value of error allows the percentage to always be


positive

Example #1

Example #2

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