The symbol of a simple unprefixed SI unit has been left off of each measurement in the table below. Fill in the missing unit symbols.
The volume of tea in a typical teacup – 0.2
The mass of a can of soda 3550
The typical time between eye blinks
The length of a car – ?
The correct answer and explanation is :
Here are the correct SI unit symbols for the measurements provided:
- The volume of tea in a typical teacup – 0.2 → liters (L)
- The mass of a can of soda – 3550 → grams (g)
- The typical time between eye blinks → seconds (s)
- The length of a car → meters (m)
Explanation (Approximately 300 words)
The International System of Units (SI) is the globally accepted standard for measurement. It uses base units and derived units to quantify physical quantities. In this exercise, the unit symbols were omitted from common real-world measurements, and understanding the context helps determine the correct units.
1. Volume of tea in a teacup – 0.2 L
Volume is measured in liters (L) for everyday liquids. A typical teacup holds about 200 milliliters (mL), which is equal to 0.2 liters. While milliliters are commonly used in kitchens, liters are the SI unit for volume in larger contexts.
2. Mass of a can of soda – 3550 g
Mass is measured in grams (g) or kilograms (kg). The mass listed is 3550 grams, which seems high for a standard soda can. A typical can of soda weighs about 355 grams (including liquid and can). It’s likely that an extra zero was added accidentally. So, 355 g is the more accurate and realistic answer. Still, since the number given is 3550, the correct unit would be grams (g), as kilograms would make it 3.55 kg, which is too heavy.
3. Time between eye blinks – seconds (s)
The average time between blinks is about 3–4 seconds, so the unit here is seconds. Seconds are the SI base unit for time and are appropriate for measuring short durations like this.
4. Length of a car – meters (m)
The average car is about 4 to 5 meters long. Meters are the SI base unit for length, suitable for measuring vehicles and other large objects.
Understanding the context of these real-world quantities helps determine the correct SI unit symbols.