The process of measurement

What is the length, width & height of:

• your desk?

• the room?

We make measurements using tools to compare to standard values.

• ex. using a thermometer to measure the temperature of a substance in degrees Fahrenheit

Measurements give us quantitative information that can describe the properties and/or behavior of matter and energy. 

• They can also contribute (in support of, or counter to) the credibility of the hypotheses, theories, and/or laws 

Explain that every measurement provides three kinds of information: 

1. the size or magnitude of the measurement (a number); 

2. a standard of comparison for the measurement (a unit); and 

3. an indication of the uncertainty of the measurement (±, error)

Standard uncertainty is ± one half of the smallest segment displayed on the measurement tool.

• What can you say, in this case, about the uncertainty of this measurement?

Describe the unit of measurement that you have used and/or seen to measure: (use an example(s) and include any units & tools used to make the measurement).

• the length of something

• the mass and/or weight of something

• the time of an event

• the volume of something

• the temperature of something

• the energy in something

• the amount of something