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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
This timeline explores measurement – its development from local units to a standard international system (SI). A full transcript is underneath the timeline.
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
This interactive highlights the critical role temperature plays in the world of ceramics.
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 ...
The maramataka is a traditional Māori lunar-stellar system based on the movements and phases of te Marama and ngā whetū. This system recognises the influence these Moon phases have on the natural ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ‘ ...
Temperature is a measure of the average energy of the particles that make up a substance. It relates to the idea of hotness and coldness. If an object feels hotter, generally it has the higher ...
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 ...
In this investigation, students use simple equipment to measure the wavelength of sound waves and calculate the speed of sound. The investigation supports the science capability ‘Gather and ...
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 ...
Radiocarbon dating, also known as carbon-14 dating, is one of several methods referred to as absolute dating – but here’s an interesting fact. There is nothing ‘absolute’ about a radiocarbon ...
