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MEASUREMENT |
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LESSON 2. Measuring Skills (Lab)
Linear measurements such as length, width, or height are measured using various equipment like a ruler (metric or English), a tape measure, or can be calculated by mathematical relationships. Rulers come in many forms, but they only measure something linear or represented in two dimensions. A caliper ruler can measure both internal and external dimensions of an object. However, it is difficult to measure something in three dimensions. A tape measure can actually measure three dimensions, but sometimes it is difficult and time consuming. Mathematical calculations make it easy!
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Comparing and
contrasting objects requires measuring their properties. Measurements used
in beginning science labs should include linear measurements,
volume, mass, weight, temperature, and time.
Measurement is relative and until standards were created, measurement
was close or accurate, but very difficult to be precise. Many times in
scientific literature you will see a term “plus or minus,” referring to
a margin of error, inherent in measuring systems. 
