Intro to Scientific Instruments

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Question 1: Is a telescope used to look at objects that are near?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

No. Tele means far away, like telephone. It’s for looking at far away objects like planets and stars.

Do we find something’s mass with a scale?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

No. Scientists and engineers use a balance to find the mass. Mass and weight are related, but different.

Is a graduated cylinder a scientific instrument?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

Yes. It is used to measure volume.

Is 1 ml of volume the same as 1 cubic centimeter, and if that was water volume would its mass be 1 gram?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

Yes. The metric system was designed around water so distance (cm), volume (ml) and mass (g) are related.

Does the metric system require fractions?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

No. We never have ‘a quarter of an inch’ situation. We use decimals instead of fractions since they’re easier.

Is 5.2 centimeters equal to 52 millimeters?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

Yes. To switch centimeters to millimeters, multiply by 10. 

Can a scientific instrument be up to 3 miles long?  

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

Yes. The largest one is more than 15 miles long. 

Does a scientific lab have to be on a ground floor?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

No. It can be anywhere including outer space like the International Space Station is.