Module 1

Module 1: The International System of Units (SI)

 

Module 1 Introduction

 

The photograph you see shows the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Sévres, near Paris, France. This is the headquarters where representatives from around the world meet to set standards that affect the way people take and report measurements, both in science and in their daily lives.

 

These standards, called the International System of Units (le Système international d’unités), include metres, litres, and kilograms, which you may already be familiar with. This system is often referred to by its abbreviation, SI. You may also know this system by its other name—the metric system.

 

The SI has its origins in France. The system arose as an effort to standardize and simplify measurements after the French Revolution. Today, the SI (or the metric system) is commonly used in the majority of countries around the world.

 

In Canada, the metric system was legalized in 1871, although the imperial system of measurement (feet and pounds) continued to be widely used until the second half of the twentieth century. Even today, there are many people who think of their height and weight in feet and pounds rather than in centimetres and kilograms. Do you?

 

In this module you will explore the following question:

 

What is the International System of Units (SI), and how is it used to measure length, area, volume, mass, and temperature?

 

Once you have completed this module, you should have the necessary skills to complete the first half of the Unit 1 Project.

 

Save a copy of the Module 1 Glossary in your course folder now. The Module 1 Glossary is a list of all of the new terms you will see in the lessons. Each time you see a definition, open your copy of the Glossary. Use the space available to add notes or drawings to help your understanding. You will be able to use your personal Glossary as a study tool.

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