CLASS 2

Read and summarize the information. Use a graphic organizer.

Physical Quantities and Their Units
A unit of measurement is a quantity used as a standard to express a physical quantity. The following are the basic
quantities being measured and the respective units used:

1. Length – describes how long something is. Distance, height, thickness, and depth also use the same units.

Some of the common units are as follows:

• millimeter (mm) – a metric unit commonly used to express the length of very small objects like keys, and thickness of
small objects like notebook.

• centimeter (cm) – a metric unit commonly used to express the length of small objects. It is also used in measuring the
height of a person.

• inch (in) – an English unit commonly used to express the length of small objects such as boxes and bottles.

• foot (ft) – an English unit equivalent to 12 inches. It is commonly used to express short distances, and height of all
objects like trees and buildings.

A ruler is a common instrument used for measuring the length of small objects. It usually has four units of measurement
to choose from: millimeter, centimeter, inch, and foot.

A meterstick is an instrument for measuring short distances.

For short distances, the metric unit meter (m) and the English unit yard (yd) are commonly used.
For long distances, the metric unit kilometer (km) and the English unit mile (mi) are commonly used.

Units of Length
Metric System English System

millimeter mm inch in

centimeter cm Foot ft

meter m Yard yd
 kilometer km Mile mi

2. Mass – describes how heavy something is.

Some of the common units are as follows:

• milligram (mg) - a metric unit commonly used to express the mass of very small objects like candy.

• gram (g) – a metric unit which is the base unit for mass. It is commonly used to express the mass of small objects like
orange, egg, and tomato.

• ounce (oz) – an English unit commonly used to express the mass o

• kilogram (kg) – an English unit commonly used for measuring short distances, and height of tall objects like trees and
buildings.

• pound (lb) – an English unit commonly used for measuring short distances, and height of tall objects like trees and
buildings.

• ton – an English unit commonly used for measuring short distances, and height of tall objects like trees and buildings.

A weighing scale is an instrument commonly used for measuring the mass of fruits,
vegetables, and meat. The scale is calibrated in grams and kilograms

Units of Mass
Metric System English System

milligram mg Ounce oz

Gram g Pound lb

Kilogram kg Ton ton

3. Time – describes how long it takes to do something.

Both the metric and English system uses the same units of measurement for time.

Some of the common units are as follows:

• second (s) – is the base unit for time. One second is equivalent to a tick of a clock’s second hand.

• minute (min) – is a unit equivalent to one revolution of the clock’s second hand or one tick of the clock’s long (minute)
hand.

• hour (hr) – is a unit equivalent to one revolution of the clock’s long (minute) hand or one tick of the clock’s short
(hour) hand.

A clock is a common instrument for indicating time. It shows the time in hours,
minutes, and sometimes in seconds.
• day (d) – is a unit equivalent to two revolutions of the clock’s short (hour) hand.

• week (wk) – is a unit equivalent to 7 days.

• month (mo) – is a unit equivalent to 30 days. It is commonly used in determining the age of an infant or a baby animal.

• year (yr) – is a unit equivalent to 12 months. It is commonly used in determining the age of a person or an object.

Units of Time
Second s

minute min

hour hr

day d

week wk

month mo

year yr

4. Area – describes how much surface is occupied by something.

The measurement for area uses the same units of measurement for length. The only difference is that the units are
"squared" since area is a product of two dimensions (usually length and width, which uses the same unit).

Some of the common units are as follows:

• square centimeter (cm2cm2 or sq. cm) – is a metric unit equivalent to a square with sides 1 cm each. Typically used
in measuring small areas such as chessboard.

• square foot (ft2ft2 or sq. ft) – is an English unit equivalent to a square with sides 1 ft each. Typically used in
measuring the floor or room area.

• square meter (m2m2 or sq. m) – is a metric unit equivalent to a square with sides 1 m each. Typically used in
measuring the area of a residential lot.

• acre – is an English unit used to measure land area such as farms and amusement parks.

• hectare (ha) – is a metric unit equivalent to a square with sides 100 m each. Like acre, it is primarily used in land
measurement.

A football field usually measures about 1 hectare.

Units of Area
Metric System English System

square centimeter cm2cm2 square foot ft2ft2

 square meter m2m2 acre

hectare ha
5. Volume – describes how much space (or liquid) is occupied (or contained) by something. Similar to area, volume also
uses the units of length but the only difference is that the unit is “cubed”. Cubed units are typically used for volumes of
space while there are also units of volume dedicated for liquid measurements.

Some of the common units are as follows:

• milliliter (mL) – is a metric unit commonly used for measuring small amounts of liquid such as perfume.

• cubic centimeters (cm3cm3 or cc) – is a metric unit for volume (both space and liquid) corresponding to a cube with
sides 1 cm each. A cubic centimeter is equivalent to a milliliter.

• fluid ounce (fl oz) – is an English unit commonly used for measuring liquids in bottles such as soft drinks.

• cup – is an English unit equivalent to 8 fluid ounces. It is commonly used in measuring

ingredients for cooking and baking.

A measuring cup is a kitchen utensil used to measure the volume of liquid or ingredients
like flour and sugar.

• pint (pt) – is an English unit equivalent to 2 cups. It is commonly used in different commodities.

• quart (qt) – is an English unit equivalent to a quarter of a gallon.

• liter (L) – is the base unit for volume. It is commonly used in measuring large amount of liquid such as gasoline.

• gallon (gal) – is an English unit counterpart for liter.

A gasoline container usually measures 1 gallon.

Units of Volume
Metric System English System

cubic centimeter cm3cm3 fluid ounce fl oz

milliliter mL cup

liter L pint pt

quart qt

gallon gal

6. Temperature – describes how hot or cold something is.

The following are the common units:

• Celsius scale (°C) – is a metric unit for temperature and the most commonly used unit of temperature worldwide. In
this scale, the boiling point of water is at 100°C while the freezing point is at 0°C.
• Fahrenheit scale (°F) – is an English unit for temperature, which is commonly used in United States. In this scale, the
boiling point of water is at 212°F while the freezing point is at 32°F.

• Kelvin scale (K) – is a SI unit for temperature. Unlike the other two temperature scales, the Kelvin scale does not use
degrees. Its zero point, 0 K, is defined as the coldest possible temperature which is also called absolute zero.

The thermometer is the most common instrument for measuring temperature. It is usually calibrated
on both the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales.

Units of Temperature

Metric System English System SI

Celsius scale °C Fahrenheit scale °F Kelvin scale K