1. Systems of Measurement

The document provides an overview of measurement systems, specifically the US Standard System and the Metric System, highlighting their differences in units and conversion methods. It explains fundamental and derived physical quantities, along with historical context and examples of measurement units. Additionally, it includes conversion examples and learning checks to reinforce understanding of both systems.

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1. Systems of Measurement

Uploaded by

madurezaairakim13

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Systems of

Measurement
Applied Physics
Definition
 Measurement is finding a number that
shows the size or amount of something.

Systems of Measurement

US Standard System Metric System

Difference : Units
Physical Quantity
A physical property that can be measured and described
by a number is called physical quantity.

65 kg

Physical Quantity
Types Physical Quantity

Fundamental Quantities Derived Quantities

Do not depend on any Depend on one or more
other physical quantities fundamental quantities for
for their measurements. their measurements.
 Mass  Time  Area  Speed
 Length  Temperature  Volume  Force
Exploration
During the ancient times, an Egyptian
carpenter never misplaced his ruler
because it was attached to his body.
Span
A span is the distance from the tips
of the little finger to the tip of the
thumb of an outstretched hand.
Digit
A digit is thickness or width of the
index finger.
Palm
A palm is the distance across the
base of the four fingers that form the
palm.
Cubit
A cubit is the distance from the tip of
the middle finger of the outstretched
hand to the front of the elbow.
Foot
A foot is the length of a foot.
Pace
A pace is the distance of one full
step.
Measurement Systems

US Standard Metric
System System

Based on whole Based on the

numbers and number 10
fractional part. (Power of 10).
Background Information

 All countries have adopted the metric

system, including the United States.
However, in nearly all countries people
still use traditional units.
 Only 3 countries in the world, have not
officially adopted metric as their
primary system of measuring.
Background Information

Three countries have not officially adopted the

International System of Units as their primary or
sole system of measurement: Liberia, Myanmar,
and the United States.
US Standard
System
US Standard System

 It has many different units of measurement

 Some unit has a completely different name
 They also have completely different conversion factors
Example # 1

Convert 84 inches to feet.

84 in 1 ft
7 ft
12 in
Example # 2

Find the number of

cups in two gallon.

2 gal 4 qt 2 pt 2 cups 32 cups

1 gal 1 qt 1 pt
Example # 3

Convert 16 tons to pounds.

16 tons 2000 lbs

32,000 lbs
1 ton
Learning Check!

Convert the following:

1. 144 in = _____
12 ft
2. 3 mi = ______
5,280 yd
3. 6 ft = ______
2 yd
Metric System
Metric System

 It is known as a decimal system because conversions

between units are based on powers of ten.
 It is universally used so it is often referred to as the
International System of Units and abbreviated SI.
B U
A METER GRAM LITER
N
S I
I T
C S
Metric System
Metric System

Conversions are quickly made, it is as simple as

moving the decimal point to the right (for smaller
prefixes) or to the left (for larger prefixes).

kilo hecto deca UNIT deci centi milli

kilometer (km) hectometer (hm) decameter (dm) meter (m) decimeter (dcm) centimeter (cm) millimeter (mm)