Student Unit U1
Units & Systems
Unit U1 Focus Words
mass
noun – a measure of the quantity of matter in an object
Imagine you take a trip to the moon on a new spaceship. Would your mass change when you leave Earth?
weight
noun – a measure of mass by using an object’s downward force
Does your weight change during a roller coaster ride?
volume
noun – the amount of space taken up by an object
Is it easier to determine the volume of a brick or a stone?
capacity
noun – the amount an object can contain
The capacity of soda bottles is how much liquid they can contain. But the capacity of elevators is how much weight they can hold. What’s the difference?
length
noun – a measure of the longer side of an object; a measure of an object from end to end
A football field is 100 yards long. What do you estimate is the length of your schoolyard?
distance
noun – the measurement between two points
What do you think is the greatest distance you could run without needing to stop and catch your breath?
standard
noun – an idea or thing used to measure
If there were no standard weights, how would we buy food at the grocery store?
unit
noun – a particular quantity that is used to count or measure other quantities
In the U.S. we purchase gasoline using the gallon as the unit of measurement, but most other countries use the liter. What are some other examples of U.S. units that are not used in other countries?