Final answer:
Choosing the right measurement tool and unit is crucial for accurately measuring objects. This ranges from calipers for small objects to measuring wheels or odometers for distances, and rulers or tape measures for everyday items.
Step-by-step explanation:
When measuring a physical quantity such as size, length, or volume, it is critical to select the appropriate measurement tool and an appropriate unit of measurement. First, identify the object to be measured and consider the characteristics of the object, such as its size or volume, to determine the best tool and unit for measurement.
Here are some examples based on the items listed:
- A grub collected from the garden - Use a ruler or calipers and measure in millimeters or inches.
- The width of a street - A measuring wheel or a tape measure and measure in meters or yards.
- The length of a street - A measuring wheel or an odometer and measure in kilometers or miles.
- The size of a small worm - A ruler or calipers and measure in centimeters or inches.
- The distance from one town to the next - An odometer or maps with a scale and measure in kilometers or miles.
- The height of a light switch - A tape measure and measure in centimeters or feet.
- The width of a refrigerator - A tape measure and measure in centimeters or inches.
We also assess quantities through the calculation from other measurements, like defining average speed as the total distance divided by time. When measuring power rating, for instance, you'd generally need a stopwatch and might calculate based on the distance climbed over time.
For electrical measurements, using meters in circuits is essential to ensure the selected meter scale matches the expected values, to prevent damage to the equipment.