1. Metric System
Unit 1
(Metric! EAS 100 (for reference purposes) Prof. L.W. Braile 8/01)

2. Why Metric? Metric system is MUCH easier
ALL metric units are related by factors of 10

3. Why Metric?
Nearly the entire world (95%), except the United States, now uses the metric system
U.S. still uses the English System

4. Why Metric? Metric is used exclusively in science
If we all learn the metric system (even non-scientists), understanding of scientific and technical issues will be enhanced

5. Why Metric? Because the metric units are all factors of ten
And the types of units (distance, area, volume, mass) are simply-related
performing calculations is much easier! (fewer mistakes, less confusion, more understanding)

6. Liquids English System inches cubed (in3) quarts gallons barrel bushel
Metric System
centimeters cubed (cm3)
milliliters
liters
meters cubed (m3)
BASE UNITS
liter or m3

7. Mass English System grains ounces (oz) pounds (lbs) short tons
Metric System
milligrams
grams
kilograms
metric tons
Base Units
gram or kg

8. Length (distance) English System inches feet yards miles Metric System
millimeters
centimeters
meters
kilometers
Base Units
meter or km

9. Temperature English System Fahrenheit Metric System Celsius Kelvin
Basic Unit

10. Time English System millisecond second minute hour day week month year
Metric System
microsecond
millisecond
second
decasecond
kilosecond
Base Unit
prefixes larger than a second rarely used
Such lengths of time are relatively impractical for measuring human activities