Unit Conversions and Measurement (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering metric prefixes, common lab measurement tools, density concepts, Archimedes' principle, and scientific notation.

Micro (prefix)

Prefix meaning 10^-6; symbol μ or u; used with units (e.g., μg). In medical fields often written as mcg.

Milli (prefix)

Prefix meaning 10^-3; symbol m; used with units like mm and mL.

Centi (prefix)

Prefix meaning 10^-2; symbol c; used with centimeters.

Meter (base unit)

Base unit of length in the metric system; abbreviated as m.

Millimeter (mm)

Unit of length equal to 0.001 meter.

Centimeter (cm)

Unit of length equal to 0.01 meter; 100 cm = 1 meter.

Milliliter (mL)

Unit of volume equal to 1 cubic centimeter; 1 mL = 1 cm^3.

Cubic centimeter (cc)

Unit of volume equal to 1 cm^3; interchangeable with 1 mL.

Beaker

Laboratory container used for holding and rough measuring of liquids; not highly precise.

Graduated cylinder

Tall measuring cylinder with marked increments; more precise than a beaker.

Meniscus

Curved surface of a liquid in a container; read measurement at the bottom of the meniscus.

Density

Mass per unit volume (density = mass/volume); determines whether an object sinks or floats in a given liquid.

Specific gravity

Ratio of a substance's density to the density of water; usually referenced to water.

Archimedes' principle

Volume of an object equals the rise in liquid volume when the object is submerged (water displacement).

Scientific notation

A way to write large or small numbers as a coefficient between 1 and 9.99… times 10^exponent.

Coefficient

The significant number in front of the decimal in scientific notation.

Exponent

The power of ten in scientific notation indicating how many places the decimal was moved.

Positive vs negative exponent

Positive exponent means a large number; negative exponent means a small number less than 1.

Reading decimal in scientific notation

To convert back, move the decimal point according to the exponent (left for positive, right for negative) and fill with zeros as needed.