Measurement is the process of obtaining the magnitude of a quantity relative to an agreed standard. The science of weights and measures is called metrology. The Measurement Standards Laboratory ...
Sound is a pressure wave caused when something vibrates, making particles bump into each other and then apart. The particles vibrate back and forth in the direction that the wave travels but do ...
SI is built on seven fundamental standards called base units. All other SI units are derived by multiplying, dividing or powering the base units in various combinations, For example: mechanical ...
A number of non-SI units are commonly used, even though the SI system of units allows for complete coverage of all scientific measurements. The reasons for this are historical and political as ...
The three most important greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). While carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas we hear the most about ...
Due to the geographical isolation of New Zealand, early Māori settlers had little contact with neighbouring islands. Trade and commerce were internally based so there was no need for a precise ...
In this activity, students collect measurements that will enable them to calculate the pressure exerted by each foot when standing normally. SI units, derived units and prefixes will be used ...
Measurement of any quantity involves applying a value to it by comparing it with some precisely defined unit value of the quantity. These standard units form the basis of a globally recognised ...
This interactive highlights the critical role temperature plays in the world of ceramics.
This timeline explores measurement – its development from local units to a standard international system (SI). A full transcript is underneath the timeline.
To measure the quantity of anything, we need a comparison with some precise unit value. Early humans used body parts and natural surroundings to provide suitable measuring instruments ...
Collecting data is a crucial part of scientific inquiry. To study waves and the ocean sea level, scientists usually gather data through the use of instruments. They collect information about the ...
In this activity, students analyse sets of data and decide whether the measurements are precise and/or accurate. By the end of this activity, students should be able to: define the terms ‘ ...
Barometers work on the principle that the air pressure can change. High air pressure tends to indicate fair weather, and low air pressure can indicate poor or rainy weather. A barometer shows the ...
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures has adopted a series of prefix names and symbols for decimal multiples and submultiples of SI units. They are expressed as powers of 10 and range ...
This investigation gives students an opportunity to develop an understanding of speed and introduces acceleration. By measuring distance and time, they will calculate the speeds of moving ...
Thermometers measure temperature. Daniel Fahrenheit is credited with the invention of the first thermometer, which was constructed using glass and mercury. In this activity, students will ...
For more than a century, the base SI unit for mass was defined by a material artefact. Originally, 1 kilogram was defined as the mass of 1000 cm3 of water at 4C. Based on this, the international ...
In this investigation, students measure distance and time in order to calculate the speed of a sound wave. The investigation supports the science capability ‘Gather and interpret data’. It also ...
Information about the International System of Units – the SI – including their definitions using fundamental constants.
In this investigation, students measure distance and time in order to calculate the acceleration of a falling object. The investigation uses an app that precisely measures the time between two ...
Metrologists (measurement scientists) at the Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand (MSL) have developed a novel research approach to the international development of a new mass ...
Rain gauges are one of the most ancient weather instruments. The ancient Greeks and people in India were the first known to keep rainfall records, about 400–500 BC. In 1441, Korea invented the ...
The Measurement Standards Laboratory (MSL) is New Zealand’s national metrology institute. Its role is to ensure that New Zealand’s units of measurement are consistent with the International ...
