Metric System and Unit Conversion

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering metric prefixes, mks units, conversion rules, and unit ratios from the lecture notes.

Metric System (Système Internationale)

A unit system based on a decimal system of measurement containing base units ($\text{m}$, $\text{g}$, $\text{L}$), prefixes (such as kilo- and centi-), and derived units ($\text{N}$, $\text{J}$).

mks Sub-system

A sub-system of the metric system based on three base units: meter ($\text{m}$), kilogram ($\text{kg}$), and second ($\text{s}$), from which derived units are formed.

Derived Units

Units such as newtons ($\text{N}$) and joules ($\text{J}$) that are created based on the three base units of the mks system.

Exa- ($\text{E}$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $1\,000\,000\,000\,000\,000\,000$ or a power of $10^{18}$.

Peta- ($\text{P}$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $1\,000\,000\,000\,000\,000$ or a power of $10^{15}$.

Tera- ($\text{T}$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $1\,000\,000\,000\,000$ or a power of $10^{12}$.

Giga- ($\text{G}$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $1\,000\,000\,000$ or a power of $10^9$.

Mega- ($\text{M}$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $1\,000\,000$ or a power of $10^6$.

Kilo- ($\text{k}$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $1000$ or a power of $10^3$.

Hecto- ($\text{h}$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $100$ or a power of $10^2$.

Deca- ($\text{da}$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $10$ or a power of $10^1$.

Deci- ($\text{d}$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $0.1$ or a power of $10^{-1}$.

Centi- ($\text{c}$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $0.01$ or a power of $10^{-2}$.

Milli- ($\text{m}$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $0.001$ or a power of $10^{-3}$.

Micro- ($\mu$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $0.000\,001$ or a power of $10^{-6}$.

Nano- ($\text{n}$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $0.000\,000\,001$ or a power of $10^{-9}$.

Pico- ($\text{p}$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $0.000\,000\,000\,001$ or a power of $10^{-12}$.

Fempto- ($\text{f}$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $0.000\,000\,000\,000\,001$ or a power of $10^{-15}$.

Atto- ($\text{a}$)

A metric prefix corresponding to a multiplication factor of $0.000\,000\,000\,000\,000\,001$ or a power of $10^{-18}$.

Moving "Up" the Metric Steps

The procedure in metric conversion where the decimal is shifted to the left by the number of step places.

Moving "Down" the Metric Steps

The procedure in metric conversion where the decimal is shifted to the right by the number of step places.

Area Conversion Rule

The rule requiring that when converting areas, each dimension must be converted, meaning the conversion factor must be applied twice.

Volume Conversion Rule

The rule requiring that when converting volume, the conversion factor must be applied three times.

General Volume-to-Capacity Equivalence

The universal equivalence stating that $1\,\text{cm}^3 = 1\,\text{mL}$ for everything.

Water Equivalence (Volume and Mass)

The specialized conversion applicable to water only: $1\,\text{mL} = 1\,\text{g}$ and $1\,\text{L} = 1\,\text{kg}$.

Tonne ($\text{t}$)

A specialized metric unit defined as $1\,\text{t} = 1\text{ tonne} = 1000\,\text{kg} = 1\,\text{Mg}$.

Hectare

A specialized metric unit of area defined as $1\text{ hectare} = 1\,\text{hm}^2$.

Unit Ratio

A fraction formed by two equivalent quantities in different units that equals $1$, used to multiply a measurement to change or cancel out units.

Foot-to-Inch Imperial Conversion

An imperial measurement equivalence defined as $1\text{ foot} = 12\text{ inches}$.

Pound-to-Ounce Imperial Conversion

An imperial measurement equivalence defined as $1\text{ pound} = 16\text{ oz}$.

Imprecise Time Conversion Units

Standard approximations used when converting non-precise time units: $1\text{ year} = 52\text{ weeks}$, $1\text{ month} = 30\text{ days}$, and $1\text{ year} = 365\text{ days}$.