Scale and Measurement

This module is aimed at a middle science level, however, aspects of the module could be used at a year 7–8 level. In the module student will learn about scientific notation and the metric system, putting the size of things at the nanoscale into perspective. They will then learn about the methods used to visualise things at the nanoscale, including microscopy and light diffraction.

Module Overview

One of the most difficult concepts for students to get their heads around is visualising something smaller than a millimetre. Therefore, when learning about nanotechnology, it is vital that the concept of the nanometre is made tangible to the students.

In the first half of the module, students learn about the metric system and make comparison of sizes at the micro and nano scale in an attempt to put sizes at the nanoscale into perspective.

In the second half, students then learn about scientific instruments for measuring small things, and get hands on experience using such instrumentation.

• Module Guide Word (92kb)

• Module Presentation Powerpoint (3.6mb)

Activity 1: Metric Conversions

Students are first introduced to the metric system and the concept of scientific notation by learning about its uses and origins. They then familiarise themselves with scientific notation through an activity where they perform a number of metric conversion focusing on units of length, volume and mass.

• Activity Guide Word (60kb)

• Activity Word (60kb)

Activity 2: Sorting by size

The aim of the second activity is to develop the difficult concept of scale. Students are asked to arrange cards of objects ranging in size from 10¹ to 10^-11 in order from smallest to largest, in the aim of putting size into perspective. They then identify the objects in the nanoscale range, and are also introduced to the instrumentation used to visualise objects of different size ranges, to tie into the second part of the module.

• Activity Guide Word (64kb)

• Activity Word (60kb)

• Activity Cards Word (668kb)

Experiment 1: Instruments for measurement

In an experiment, students then learn about different instruments (which are readily available in the school laboratory) used in scientific measurement, and use them to measure very small quantities. The experiment has three sections in which students use the micrometer to measure small lengths, the balance to measure small masses and the micropipette to measure small volumes.

• Experiment Guide Word 236kb)

• Experiment Word (96kb)

Experiment 2: Using the Light Microscope

In the second experiment students learn about light microscopes, the parts of the microscope and how to measure with it while viewing micro-sized organisms such as a flea and a dust mite.

• Experiment Guide Word (124kb)

• Experiment Word (164kb)

Experiment 3: Diffraction

In the final experiment, students learn how light and diffraction patterns can also be used to measure small things, by using diffraction to measure the diameter of a human hair.

• Experiment Guide Word (4.9mb)

• Experiment Word (680kb)

• Light Fact Sheet Word (368kb)