1.7: Activity 1F - Taking Measurements

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Page ID: 14601

Chloe Branciforte & Emily Haddad
Ventura College & East Los Angeles College via ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative

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Qualitative Measurements

Sometimes in science, our measurements are qualitative rather than quantitative, yet are still extremely useful. For example, to identify minerals in the field, we can assess the mineral’s hardness relative to common objects.

Test the hardness of the three mineral samples available by doing the following:

try to scratch it with your fingernail.
try to scratch glass with the mineral.

These two tests are listed in order of increasing hardness. For example, if you can scratch the mineral with your fingernail, it is very soft. If you can scratch the glass with the mineral, it is very hard. If your fingernail cannot scratch the mineral, and the glass cannot be scratched, the mineral has moderate hardness.

Your instructor will provide you with 3 minerals. Label the minerals in order of increasing hardness (soft, moderate, hard):

Mineral A:
Mineral B:
Mineral C:

Quantitative Measurements

Ruler.
Calculator (use a phone calculator or online calculator if necessary)
Additional practice on measurement

Using a ruler, measure the length of the line below in both centimeters and inches.

in centimeters:

in inches:

Locate a book, textbook, tissue box, or other similar-sized rectangular or square shaped object. Measure its length, width, and thickness (height) in both centimeters and inches.

Object selected
Measurement	in centimeters	in inches
Length:
Width:
Thickness (height):

To calculate volume, you must multiply the length by width by height. The proper units of volume are always measured in cubic units. The formula for volume is

Volume = Length * Width * Height

Calculate the volume of your selected object from above.

Length	Width	Height	Volume
*	*	=	(in cm³)
*	*	=	(in in³)