How to Measure in a Metric Lab for Earth Science

Length, Mass, Volume and Density Measurements

• 1

  Conduct length, mass, volume and density measurements using metric instruments. Record all results to the nearest 1/10 of a unit.

• 2

  Use a metric ruler to measure the length (L), width (W) and height (H) of a foam block in centimeters. Calculate the volume of the foam block. Volume equals length times width times height (LxWxH).

• 3

  Convert the length, height and width of this block from centimeters to millimeters and determine the volume in cubic millimeters. In one centimeter, there are 10 millimeters. For instance, if you measured the length to be 5 cm, multiply 5 cm times 10 to result in 50 mm. Once you have converted the length, width and height to millimeters, multiply the answers to obtain cubic millimeters.

• 4

  Determine the mass of the foam block using the digital balance. Place the foam block directly on the balance and record results. Make sure the balance is set to 0 before placing any objects on it. Digital balances will express the answer to the nearest tenth.

Measure Volume of Liquid

• 5

  Fill a test tube with water. Pour the water from the test tube into a 50 ml graduated cylinder. Observe the level of the water and record the measured volume. Your eye must be at the same level of the water to accurately measure the volume.

• 6

  Determine the volume of the test tube without adding water. Measure the length (L) and inside diameter (D) of a test tube using a metric ruler. Determine the volume of the test tube using the calculation, volume equals 3.14 times length times diameter squared divided by four (V=3.14 x L x D2/4).

• 7

  Compare your results with volume results from graduated cylinder.

Volume of Solid Objects

• 8

  Determine the volume of a solid object using the water displacement method. Fill a 100 ml graduated cylinder to 50 ml with water.

• 9

  Place a solid object into the graduated cylinder slowly. Observe the volume mark on the graduated cylinder.

• 10

  Subtract the final volume from 50 ml to obtain the volume of the object.

Temperature Measurements

• 11

  Obtain a thermometer. Fill a beaker full of water. Place the thermometer into the beaker. Allow the thermometer to reach the accurate temperature. The metric system uses the Celsius temperature scale. If your thermometer does not read in Celsius, you will need to convert the temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius.

• 12

  Record your temperature results. Convert the Fahrenheit value to Celsius using the calculation, Celsius equals five times the Fahrenheit temperature minus 32 (C = 5 (F -- 32).

• 13

  Use a digital thermometer to compare your results. Digital thermometers give a choice to use either temperature scale. Make sure the digital thermometer is set to Celsius.