Module 1 : Measuring Time and Distance Using Standard Units

 

What’s New

Who is not in motion? It seems that everything is moving. From the time we wake up until we go to sleep, all our activities involve movement. We need to move in order to complete our tasks. Life without motion would surely be dull and boring. Motion will always be a part of our daily lives for it is motion that makes us fully alive as human.

In science, distance should always be exact, measured accurately and based on a standard unit of measurement. Scientifically, distance should be measured by using measuring tools such as meter stick, tape measure, measuring wheel and ultrasonic distance measure.

What Is It

Motion may be defined as movement of an object brought about by force. When there is movement, there is motion. There can be no motion without force or set of forces. Forces, therefore, initiate and influence motion.

Motion is relative. Consider the passengers in a moving car. The passengers inside the car do not consider themselves moving because they are just sitting in the car. However, the people standing outside consider them moving because the car is changing its position from one point to another point. Motion is change in position with respect to a reference point. A reference point is a fixed place or object used to determine the position of an object. If the reference point is the ground outside the car, the passengers are moving. If the reference point is the floor of the car, the passengers are not moving.

Distance is the measure of how far or near two points are from one another. Measuring distance helps in determining the effect of motion on the length covered by an object from one point to another point. Measuring distance using time, landmark or body parts is not reliable. It is inaccurate.

Time measured the period during which an action, process or condition exists or continues.

The Metric System of Measurement

     The metric system is the world standard for measurement. It is used by scientist throughout the world. Most countries use it, too.

Having a standard unit of measure makes it easier for scientist and other people to understand data. Using different units of measurement may lead to misunderstanding and confusion among people.

In the metric system, the standard unit of measurement used for distance or length is meter. We just add the prefix kilo when the distance is quite far and prefixes like deci, centi, and mili if the length is quite short.

To convert a larger metric unit to smaller metric unit, follow these steps:

1.   Put 1 on the given unit. (Example: convert 1 kilometer to meter)

 

Kilometer (km)	Hectometer (hm)	Decameter (da)	Unit (meter)        (m)	Decimeter (dm)	Centimeter (cm)	Millimeter (mm)
1

 

2.  Add zero on the boxes until your goal is reached.

 

Kilometer (km)	Hectometer (hm)	Decameter (da)	Unit (meter)   (m)	Decimeter (dm)	Centimeter (cm)	Millimeter (mm)
1	0	0	0

Therefore, 1 kilometer is equal to 1000 meters.

  * To convert a smaller unit to a larger unit, follow these steps:

1.  Put 1 on the given unit. (Example: convert 1 decimeter to kilometer)

 

Kilometer (km)	Hectometer (hm)	Decameter (da)	Unit (meter)       (m)	Decimeter (dm)	Centimeter (cm)	Millimeter (mm)
				1
2.	Then, add  zero on the boxes and when your goal is reached, put a decimal point.
Kilometer (km)	Hectometer (hm)	Decameter (da)	Unit (meter)      (m)	Decimeter (dm)	Centimeter (cm)	Millimeter (mm)
	0	0	0	1

             

3. Therefore, 1 decimeter is equal to 0.0001 kilometer.  

Remember:

 By conversion, we can get the following value used in the metric system of    measurement:

             METRIC SYSTEM CONVERSION:

     1 km =  1000

     1 m  =  100 cm

     1 m  =  1000 mm