Module 1: Measurements and Motion in 1D
PHYS-2325 M1L1 Measurement
"Measure what is measurable, and make measurable what is not so."
— Galileo Galilei
Have you ever wondered how we can describe the world so precisely? From the distance you travel to school, to the amount of medicine in a pill, measurement is everywhere. In this lesson, you’ll discover how scientists use measurement to unlock the secrets of the universe—and how you can use these same skills to solve real problems, big and small. Get ready to translate between different systems, master scientific notation, and see why measurement is the foundation of all science!
Course Competencies and Learning Objectives
A ★ indicates that this page contains content related to that LO.
CC1.1 Solve problems of motion in one dimension
★ LO1.1.1 Translate from scientific notation to regular numbers
★ LO1.1.2 Translate from different measurement systems
LO1.1.3 Investigate the quantities that define motion in one dimension
LO1.1.4 Analyze a problem in one dimension
Optional Reading
Media
Watch these short videos to see measurement and scientific notation in action. Take notes on anything that surprises you or makes you think differently about numbers!
Practice and Apply - Conceptual
Order the Scientific Measurement Process
Arrange the following steps in the correct order for making accurate scientific measurements:
- Choose the appropriate measuring instrument
- Identify what needs to be measured
- Record the measurement with proper significant figures
- Calibrate or check the instrument
- Take the measurement reading
- Convert to appropriate units if needed
Sort Measurement Tools by Type
Match each measuring instrument with the type of measurement it's designed for:
Measurement Tools
- Ruler
- Balance scale
- Graduated cylinder
- Thermometer
- Stopwatch
- Voltmeter
- Micrometer
- pH meter
Length/Distance
Mass/Weight
Volume
Temperature
Time
Other Properties
Test Your Knowledge
Click each card to reveal key concepts about measurement and unit conversion:
What is the key rule for unit conversion?
Answer
Always multiply by conversion factors that equal 1, so the value stays the same while the units change.
Why do we use scientific notation?
Answer
To express very large or very small numbers clearly and to show the correct number of significant figures.
What makes a measurement system useful?
Answer
Standardization, reproducibility, and clear relationships between different units (like powers of 10 in metric).
How do you convert 250 cm to meters?
Answer
250 cm × (1 m/100 cm) = 2.5 m
Practice and Apply - Computational
Important: Strict Answer Formatting Required
Pro tip: In science, details matter! Make sure your answers follow the exact format—just like a scientist or engineer would.
- Scientific Notation: Use the correct number of significant digits. Write answers as
1.2*10^6(not1.20*10^6unless two decimals are significant). - Unit Conversions: Always include the correct units and use conversion factors as shown in the lesson.
- No Extra Characters: Do not include spaces or unnecessary symbols unless instructed.
If your answer is not accepted, double-check your formatting!
Practice Problem 1
Convert 3.5 x 104 to a regular number.
Show Solution
Problem: Convert 3.5 x 104 to a regular number.
Answer: 35,000
Practice Problem 2
Write 0.00082 in scientific notation.
Show Solution
Problem: Write 0.00082 in scientific notation.
Answer: 8.2 x 10-4
Practice Problem 3
Convert 5.2 kilometers to meters.
Show Solution
Problem: Convert 5.2 kilometers to meters.
Answer: 5,200 m
Practice Problem 4
Convert 1,200 centimeters to meters.
Show Solution
Problem: Convert 1,200 centimeters to meters.
Answer: 12 m