Biology Assessment Test Module 1: The Metric System

Vocabulary flashcards covering the International System of units, base units, prefixes, temperature conversions, and time based on the Kaustin Community College District Module 1 notes.

International System (SI) of units

A system of measurements and units commonly used in science where converting between prefixes is simple because they differ by powers of ten.

Meter ($m$)

The basic unit of distance in the metric system, equivalent to approximately $39.37\,\text{inches}$.

Gram ($g$)

The basic unit of mass (weight) in the metric system, representing the approximate mass of a paper clip.

Liter ($l$ or $L$)

The basic unit of volume in the metric system, which is slightly more than a quart.

Degree Celsius ($^\circ\text{C}$)

The metric unit for temperature, also known as the centigrade scale, where water freezes at $0^\circ\text{C}$ and boils at $100^\circ\text{C}$.

Second ($s$)

The base unit of metric or decimalized time, which is based on the solar day.

Kilo ($k$)

A metric prefix representing one thousand ($1,000$) or $10^3$ times the basic unit.

Mega ($M$)

A metric prefix representing one million ($1,000,000$) or $10^6$ times the basic unit.

Giga ($G$)

A metric prefix representing one billion ($1,000,000,000$) or $10^9$ times the basic unit.

Deci ($d$)

A metric prefix representing one-tenth ($1/10$), $0.1$, or $10^{-1}$ of the basic unit.

Centi ($c$)

A metric prefix representing one-hundredth ($1/100$), $0.01$, or $10^{-2}$ of the basic unit.

Milli ($m$)

A metric prefix representing one-thousandth ($1/1,000$), $0.001$, or $10^{-3}$ of the basic unit.

Micro ($\mu$)

A metric prefix representing one-millionth ($1/1,000,000$), $0.000\,001$, or $10^{-6}$ of the basic unit.

Nano ($n$)

A metric prefix representing one-billionth ($1/1,000,000,000$), $0.000\,000\,001$, or $10^{-9}$ of the basic unit.

Solar Day

One revolution of the Earth, which is divided into decimal units to keep and tell metric time.

Metric Minute

A unit of time in the decimalized system containing $100$ metric seconds.

Metric Line

A horizontal diagram where each vertical line represents a decimal place, used to determine the direction and number of places to move the decimal during conversion.

Celsius to Fahrenheit Formula

$$^\circ\text{F} = (\frac{9}{5} \times ^\circ\text{C}) + 32^\circ$$

Fahrenheit to Celsius Formula

$$^\circ\text{C} = \frac{5}{9} \times (^\circ\text{F} - 32^\circ)$$

$$1^\circ\text{C}$$

The temperature interval equivalent to $1.8^\circ\text{F}$.