After studying the material of this chapter, the student should be able to:
1. Distinguish between a scientific model and a scientific theory.
2. Explain why experiments are important in the testing of a theory and the improvement of a model.
3. Explain why uncertainty is present in all measurements and state the uncertainty after taking a measurement.
4. Calculate the percent uncertainty in a measurement.
5. State the SI units of mass, length, and time.
6. State the metric (SI) prefixes (multipliers) and use these prefixes in problem solving.
7. Convert English units to SI units and vice versa and use the factor‑label method in problem solving.
8. Distinguish between basic quantities and derived quantities as well as basic units and derived units.
9. Express a number in power of ten notation and use power of ten notation in problem solving.
10. Explain what is meant by an order‑of‑magnitude estimate and use order‑of‑magnitude estimates in problems involving rapid estimating.
