Monday 18th October 2021

Science

MEASUREMENT
What is measuring and why do we measure?
Measuring is the means by which the size, mass and/or temperature of some
quantity of matter, or a period of time, is determined using instruments marked
in standard units.
It is necessary to measure so that communication about any quantity of matter is
clear. Measurement is important so that everyone all over the world can
understand and communicate with each other (especially scientists).
Measurement, unlike estimation, needs to be accurate.
Measurement is global and needs to be standardized. Our senses are unreliable
so we need to use instruments to measure.
We can repeat measurements for accuracy.
The main physical quantities that can be measured are:
• Dimensions – the size of an object in terms of, for example, its length, width,
height or depth.
• Volume – how much space an object occupies.
• Mass – how much matter an object contains.
• Time – how long an event lasts.
• Temperature – how hot or cold an object is.
Physical quantities are quantities which can be measured.