Chapter 1 (Lesson 3)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the notes on units of measurement, SI base and derived units, temperature scales, and prefix multipliers.

Units of Measurement

Quantities used to specify measurements; organized as base units and derived units; include metric and English systems.

Metric system

Decimal-based system used worldwide; common units include cm, m, kg, L.

English system

Unit system used in the United States; common units include in, ft, yd, lb, gal.

SI (Système International d’Unités)

International system of units from which derived units are formed; seven base units.

Base units

The seven fundamental SI units (meter, kilogram, second, kelvin, mole, ampere, candela).

Derived units

Units formed from combinations of base units (e.g., m^3, kg/m^3, m/s, N).

Meter (m)

SI base unit of length.

Kilogram (kg)

SI base unit of mass; 1 kg = 1000 g; 1 kg ≈ 2.205 lb.

Second (s)

SI base unit of time; commonly used with conversions such as 1 min = 60 s and 1 h = 60 min.

Kelvin (K)

SI base unit of temperature; the Kelvin scale starts at 0 K (absolute zero).

Mole (mol)

SI base unit of amount of substance.

Ampere (A)

SI base unit of electric current.

Candela (cd)

SI base unit of luminous intensity.

Meter conversions

Common meter equivalents: 1 m = 1.09361 yd; 1 m = 39.37 in; 1 yd = 36 in.

Second conversions

Common time conversions: 1 min = 60 s; 1 h = 60 min.

Kelvin scale and absolute zero

The Kelvin scale begins at 0 K; represents absolute zero where molecular motion is minimal.

Absolute zero

0 K ≈ −273.15 °C ≈ −459.67 °F.

Celsius (°C)

Temperature unit on the Celsius scale; related to Kelvin by K = °C + 273.15.

Fahrenheit (°F)

Temperature unit on the Fahrenheit scale; converts to Celsius and Kelvin.

Temperature conversions

Formulas to convert between °C, °F, and K (e.g., °C ⇄ °F, K = °C + 273.15).

Prefix multiplier

A prefix that scales a unit by a power of ten.

Tera (T)

Prefix for 10^12; symbol T.

Giga (G)

Prefix for 10^9; symbol G.

Mega (M)

Prefix for 10^6; symbol M.

Kilo (k)

Prefix for 10^3; symbol k.

Deci (d)

Prefix for 10^−1; symbol d.

Centi (c)

Prefix for 10^−2; symbol c.

Milli (m)

Prefix for 10^−3; symbol m.

Micro (µ)

Prefix for 10^−6; symbol µ.

Nano (n)

Prefix for 10^−9; symbol n.

Pico (p)

Prefix for 10^−12; symbol p.

Volume (m^3)

Derived unit for volume; expressed in cubic meters.

Liter (L)

Volume unit; 1 L = 1000 mL = 1000 cm^3.

Density (ρ)

Mass per unit volume; ρ = m/V; commonly in g/cm^3 or kg/m^3.