Lab Assignment

Data Collection & Unit Conversions

Part 1:

To complete this lab you must first collect data by interviewing friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, etc. You can conduct these interviews via personal visit, phone call, social media, however you choose.

Ask your subjects the following questions:

1. What is your height?5'1'

2. Approximately how much do you weigh?220If you prefer not to give your weight, how much does your bag (purse, back pack, lunch bag, etc.) weigh?

3. What is the furthest you have ever traveled from your home (in distance)? (This can be approximated using an online mapping service e.g.GoogleMaps^TM, MapQuest^TM)

IMPORTANT NOTE! Be sure to ask and then recordthe units of measurement your subject reports for each answer.

Next you must convert this data into different forms of measurement:

• Height in inches and centimeters

• Weight in kilograms and pounds

• Distance in miles, yards, and meters

Be sure to show your work and the equations used in making these conversions. Note that not only will partial credit be given for answers given without formulas used, but partial credit will be given for any incorrect answers where the correct formula was applied.

Report your collected data and conversions in the table on the following page.

Part 2:

After completing the computation work, answer the following examination question:

1. Would a change to the Metric system be beneficial to the United States? Why or why not?

2. Explain why you think it would be hard for the United States to switch to the metric system.

3. Identify one specific job the requires frequent measuring such as a chef, architect or nurse. Analyze how a change to the metric system would impact their job. Would they need to communicate differently, buy new equipment or tools and how would previous work related materials be impacted?