Units of Measurement 112
This class provides a thorough explanation of the English and metric measurement systems, the units they use, and how to convert measurements between units. Measurements that use base units include distance, mass, weight, and temperature. Measurements that use derived units include area, volume, and speed. Converting between metric and English units involves multiplying or dividing measurements by equivalent values. However, reference charts are often available to help make conversions.
Units of measurement are used every day in a production environment. Converting units is often required, especially for organizations that operate internationally. After taking this class, users will be able to calculate conversions for units within the English system, within the metric system, and between the two systems.-
Difficulty Beginner
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Format Online
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Number of Lessons 18
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Language English
Talk with a Tooling U-SME specialist about class options and pricing.
- The English System
- The Metric System
- Base Unit Measurements
- Derived Units
- Measurement Systems and Units Review
- Distance: English Units
- Distance: Metric Units
- Converting English and Metric Units of Distance
- Units of Distance Review
- Mass
- Weight
- Converting English and Metric Units of Weight
- Temperature
- Mass, Weight, and Temperature Review
- Area
- Volume
- Speed
- Derived Units Review
- Describe the English system of measurement.
- Describe the metric system of measurement.
- Identify common base unit measurements.
- Identify common derived unit measurements.
- Calculate conversions for English units of distance.
- Calculate conversions for metric units of distance.
- Calculate conversions for English and metric units of distance.
- Describe mass and the units used to measure it.
- Describe weight and the units used to measure it.
- Calculate conversions for English and metric units of weight.
- Describe temperature and the units used to measure it.
- Describe area and the units used to measure it.
- Describe volume and the units used to measure it.
- Describe speed and the units used to measure it.
2D
Two-dimensional. Having length and width, but not height. 2D shapes are flat.
3D
Three-dimensional. Having length, width, and height. 3D objects occur within three planes of space.
absolute zero
The lowest temperature theoretically possible. Absolute zero is zero on the Kelvin scale.
area
A measurement of the amount of space contained within a flat, enclosed shape. Area is determined by multiplying the length and width of the shape.
axis
An imaginary straight line that passes through the center of an object. A cylindrical component typically rotates around its axis.
base units
A unit of measurement used for measurements that can be determined by taking one single measurement. Base unit measurements include distance, mass, time, and temperature.
calipers
A measuring instrument that includes one or more sets of jaws and a scale marked with unit divisions. Calipers often include one set of jaws to measure outer diameters and another set of jaws to measure internal diameters.
capacity
A metric that indicates the amount of liquid, gas, or something else a component can contain. Capacity may sometimes be referred to as volume.
Celsius scale
A temperature measurement scale used in the metric system that is divided into degrees Celsius. On the Celsius scale, the freezing point of water is 0 degrees and the boiling point is 100 degrees.
centimeter
cm. A unit of linear measurement in the metric system that is equal to 0.01 meters. One centimeter equals 0.394 inches in the English system.
coordinate measuring machines
CMM. A sophisticated measuring instrument with a flat, polished table and a suspended probe that measures parts in three-dimensional space. Coordinate measuring machines can measure using either contact or noncontact methods.
cubed
Multiplied by itself two times. Cubed values have an exponent of three.
cubic centimeter
cm³. A unit of volume measurement in the metric system that is equal to 0.001 liters. One cubic centimeter, or one milliliter, equals 0.0610 cubic inches in the English system.
cubic foot
ft.³. A unit of volume measurement in the English system that is equal to 1,728 cubic inches. Once cubic foot equals 28.3168 liters in the metric system.
cubic inch
in.³. A unit of volume measurement in the English system that is equal to 0.000579 cubic feet. One cubic inch equals 16.3871 milliliters in the metric system.
cubic meter
m³. A unit of volume measurement in the metric system that is equal to 1,000,000 cubic centimeters. One cubic meter, or one kiloliter, equals 1.3079 cubic yards in the English system.
cubic yard
yd.³. A unit of volume measurement in the English system that is equal to 27 cubic feet. One cubic yard equals 0.7646 kiloliters in the metric system.
cutting tool
A device made of hard, tough material that is used to remove metal by creating chips. Cutting tools are either single or multi-point tools.
degrees
A unit used to indicate a specific amount of change on a scale. Degrees are used to measure temperature.
degrees Celsius
°C. A unit of temperature measurement used in the metric system. Degrees of Celsius can be converted to Degrees of Fahrenheit by using the formula C x 9/5 + 32.
degrees Fahrenheit
°F. Degrees of Fahrenheit can be converted to degrees of Celsius by using the formula 5/9(F-32).
density
The amount of mass within a specific volume of a substance. Objects with greater density have increased mass and weight.
derived units
A unit of measurement that results from combining two or more base units. Derived unit measurements include area, volume, and speed.
diameter
The distance from one edge of a circle to the opposite edge as measured through the center. The diameter of a circle is two times the radius.
digital scale
An electronic device or instrument for weighing. Digital scales originally were instruments used to balance the weight of objects against each other, but modern scales in manufacturing are typically highly precise digital devices.
distance
The amount of linear space between two points or objects. Distance can measure the amount of space between objects or the dimensions of an object, such as length and width.
English system
A standard system of measurement based on the inch, pound, and gallon. The English system is primarily used in the United States and England.
exponents
A mathematical operation indicating how many times a number is multiplied by itself. Exponents of ten are often referred to as powers.
Fahrenheit scale
The temperature measurement scale used in the English system that is divided into degrees Fahrenheit. On the Fahrenheit scale, the freezing point of water is 32 degrees and the boiling point is 212 degrees.
foot
ft. A unit of linear measurement in the English system that is equal to 12 inches. One foot equals 30.48 centimeters in the metric system.
gallons
gal. A unit of volume measurement in the English system that is equal to 16 cups. One gallon equals 3.785 liters in the metric system.
gram
g. A unit of mass measurement in the metric system that is equal to 0.001 kilograms. One gram equals 0.035 ounces in the English system.
gravity
The force exerted by the Earth on other objects on or near its surface. Gravity pulls on the entire mass of an object.
height
An object’s measurement from top to bottom. Height is one of key three dimensions, along with length and width.
Imperial system
A recognized system of measurement adopted by the United Kingdom, Canada, and other affiliated countries in 1824 based on inches, feet, and yards. The imperial system is still in use for some measurements such as speed, distance, and volume but has largely been replaced with metric system since 1965.
inch
in. A unit of linear measurement in the English system that is equal to 0.083 feet. One inch equals 2.54 centimeters in the metric system.
International System of Units
SI. An internationally recognized standard system of measurement based on the gram, liter, and meter. The International System of Units is also known as the metric system.
Kelvin scale
A scientific temperature measurement scale used in the metric system that is divided into kelvins (K). On the Kelvin scale, the freezing point of water is 273.15 K and the boiling point is 373.15 K.
Kelvins
K. A unit of temperature measurement used in the metric system for scientific measurements. Kelvins can be converted to Celsius by using the formula C + 273.15.
kilogram
kg. A unit of mass measurement in the metric system that is equal to 1000 grams. One kilogram is equal to 2.205 pounds in the English system.
kiloliter
kL. A unit of volume measurement in the metric system that is equal to 1,000 liters. One kiloliter, or one cubic meter, equals 1.3079 cubic yards in the English system.
kilometer
km. A unit of linear measurement in the metric system that is equal to 1,000 meters. One kilometer equals 0.621 miles in the English system.
kilometers per hour
km/h. A unit that indicates speed in the metric system. Kilometers per hour is equal to the distance traveled in kilometers divided by the time spent traveling in hours.
length
An object's measurement from end to end, rather than from side to side. Length is one of three key dimensions, along with width and height.
linear speed
The rate at which an object travels along a straight path. Linear speed is often expressed in inches per minute or centimeters per minute.
liter
L or l. A unit of volume measurement in the metric system that is equal to 1,000 milliliters. One liter equals 0.264 gallons in the English system.
liter
L or l. A unit of volume measurement in the metric system that is equal to 1,000 milliliters. One liter equals 4.227 cups in the English system.
mass
The amount of matter contained within an object. Mass gives an object weight and is measured with metric units.
matter
A substance that has mass and exists as a solid, liquid, or gas. Matter can change states based on temperature and pressure.
measurement
The act or process of determining the distance, mass, weight, time, temperature, or other physical aspect of an object, event, or phenomenon. Measurement results can be expressed in English system or metric system units.
meter
M. A unit of linear measurement in the metric system that is equal to 100 centimeters. One meter equals 3.281 feet in the English system.
metric system
An internationally recognized standard system of measurement based on the gram, liter, and meter. The metric system is also known as the International System of Units (SI).
metric ton
mt. unit of mass in the metric system. One metric ton is equal to 1000 kilograms.
micrometers
A U-shaped measuring instrument with a threaded spindle that slowly advances toward a small anvil. Micrometers are available in numerous types for measuring assorted dimensions and features.
mile
mi. A unit of linear measurement in the English system that is equal to 5,280 feet. One mile equals 1.6093 kilometers in the metric system.
miles per hour
mph. A unit of linear speed measurement in the English system that is used for objects that travel long distances quickly. Miles per hour is typically used to measure vehicle speed.
milligram
mg. A unit of mass measurement in the metric system that is equal to 0.001 grams. One milligram is equals to 0.0000353 ounces in the English system.
milliliter
mL. A unit of volume measurement in the metric system that is equal to 0.001 liters. One milliliter, or one cubic centimeter, equals 0.0610 cubic inches in the English system.
millimeter
mm. A unit of linear measurement in the metric system that is equal to 0.1 centimeters. One millimeter equals 0.039 inches in the English system.
mt
metric ton. unit of mass in the metric system. One metric ton is equal to 1000 kilograms.
ounce
oz. A unit of weight measurement in the English system that is equal to 0.0625 pounds. One ounce equals 28.3495 grams in the metric system.
pound
lb. A unit of weight measurement in the English system that is equal to 16 ounces. One pound equals 0.453592 kilograms in the metric system.
powers
The result of a mathematical operation indicating how many times a number is multiplied by itself. Powers of ten are often referred to as exponents.
prefix
A word or combination of letters added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. Prefixes are added to metric units of measurement to indicate multiples of ten.
quarts
qt. A unit of volume measurement in the English system equal to 4 cups. One quart equals 0.94 liters liters in the metric system.
revolutions per minute
rpm. A unit of rotary speed measurement that indicates how many complete rotations an object makes in one minute. Revolutions per minute is used in both the English and metric systems.
rotary speed
The rate at which an object rotates around its axis. Rotary speed is measured by counting the number of revolutions that occur in a specific amount of time.
speed
The amount an object travels in a given period of time. Speed can describe linear or rotational motion.
spindle
A component of a machine tool that rotates the workpiece or cutting tool. Spindle speed is measured in revolutions per minute.
square centimeter
cm². A unit of area measurement in the metric system that is equal to 100 square millimeters. One square centimeter equals 0.155 square inches in the English system.
square foot
ft.². A unit of area measurement in the English system that is equal to 144 square inches. One square foot equals 0.0929 square meters in the metric system.
square inch
in.². A unit of area measurement in the English system that is equal to 0.007 square feet. One square inch equals 6.4516 square centimeters in the metric system.
square kilometer
km². A unit of area measurement in the metric system that is equal to 1,000,000 square meters. One kilometer equals 0.3861 square miles in the English system.
square meter
m². A unit of area measurement in the metric system that is equal to 10,000 square centimeters. One square meter equals 10.764 square feet in the English system.
square mile
mi.². A unit of area measurement in the English system that is equal to 3,097,600 square yards. One square mile equals 2.5899 square kilometers in the metric system.
square millimeter
mm². A unit of area measurement in the metric system that is equal to 0.01 square centimeters. One square millimeter equals 0.002 square inches in the English system.
square yard
yd.². A unit of area measurement in the English system that is equal to 9 square feet. One square yard equals 0.836 square meters in the metric system.
squared
Multiplied by itself one time. Squared values have an exponent of two.
temperature
A measurement of the amount of thermal energy produced by a substance. Temperature is usually measured in degrees.
thermal energy
Power created by or in the form of heat. The amount of thermal energy is called temperature.
thermodynamics
The branch of physics that studies energy in transitional states. Any process involving energy, heat, and work can be explained through the first two laws of thermodynamics.
thermometers
A thermal device that measures temperature. Thermometers are typically calibrated to either the Celsius or Fahrenheit temperature scale.
three-dimensional
3D. Having length, width, and height. Three-dimensional objects occur within three planes of space.
time
A measurement of how long an event takes to occur from start to finish. Time is measured in seconds, minutes, and hours.
tolerances
Acceptable deviations from a desired dimension that still meets part specifications. Tolerances indicate the allowable difference between a physical feature and its intended design.
ton
T. A unit of weight measurement in the English system that is equal to 2,000 pounds.
two-dimensional
2D. Having length and width but not height. Two-dimensional shapes are flat.
U.S. customary system
A standard system of measurement used in the United States that is based on the inch, pound, and gallon. The U.S. customary system is the formal name for the English system of measurement used in the United States and varies slightly from the imperial system used in England.
units
A pre-determined quantity used as a measurement standard. Units are used in measuring systems to indicate distance, temperature, speed, weight, mass, time, and more.
volume
A measurement of the amount of space contained within a three-dimensional space. Volume is determined by multiplying the length, width, and height of the shape.
weight
A measurement of the gravitational pull on an object on the Earth's surface. Weight is expressed in the English system using ounces and pounds and in the metric system using milligrams, grams, and kilograms.
weight
A measurement of the gravitational pull on an object on the Earth's surface. Weight is expressed in the English system using ounces and pounds and in the metric system using milligrams, grams, and kilograms.
width
An object’s measurement from side to side, rather than from end to end. Width is one of three key dimensions, along with length and height.
yard
yd. A unit of linear measurement in the English system that is equal to 3 feet. One yard equals 0.9144 meters in the metric system.