1.3 The metric system
The metric system is based on grams (g), litres (l) and metres (m).
The prefixes always mean the same. The common prefixes are as follows.
Kilo 1000
- 1 kg = 1000 g
- 1 km = 1000 m
Centi 1/100
- 1 cm = 1/100 metre
- 100 cm = 1 metre
Milli 1/1000
- 1 mm = 1/1000 m
- 1000 mm = 1 m
- 1 millilitre = 1/1000 litre
- 1000 ml = 1 litre
Water connects all three measures!
- 1 cm × 1 cm × 1 cm = 1 cubic centimetre (cm3) and it holds 1 ml of water which weighs 1 gram (g).
- 10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm = 1000 cubic centimetres and it holds 1 litre of water weighing 1 kg.