Measurement Vocabulary

Accuracy

Being close to the true or accepted value.

Balance

A measurement tool used to measure mass

Base 10

The numerical system the metric system is based on. All prefixes increase or decrease by powers of 10.

Centi

A prefix in the metric system representing 1/100th of the base unit.

Certain digit

A digit in a measurement that is able to read off the measurement tool.

Graduated cylinder

A measurement tool used to measure the volume of a substance, typically a liquid.

Kilo

A prefix in the metric system representing 1000 of the base units

Length

A measurement representing the distance between two points. Meter is the base unit used in the Metric System.

Mass

A measurement of the amount of matter in an object. Grams is the base unit to measure this in the Metric System.

Measurement

A quantiative observation that includes a number and a unit.

Metric System

A system of measurement used worldwide based on powers of 10.

Parallax

An observed shift in position due to the angle an object is viewed from. Can have negative impacts on making accurate and precise measurements.

Precision

How close a series of measurements are to each other.

Qualitative observation

A measurement made based off descriptions, usually involves using the senses.

Quantitative observation

A measurement made using numerical quantities.

Temperature

A measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance. The unit to measure temperature in the Metric System is Celsius or Kelvin.

Uncertain digit

The last digit in a measurement that is estimated based on the tool being used.

Volume

A measure of the amount of space an object takes up. The based unit used to measure this in the Metric System is the Liter (L).

Milli

Prefix in the metric system representing 1/1000th of the base unit

Imperial System

A system of measurement commonly used in the United States. Includes measurements such as feet, pounds, gallons, etc.