Questions and Answers
When did the National Assembly of France request the French Academy of Science to create an invariable standard for all measures and all weights?
In 1790
What was the system created by the Academy?
Simple and scientific
What was the unit of length based on?
A portion of the Earth's circumference
How were measures of capacity (volume and mass) to be derived?
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How were the largest and smallest multiples of each unit created?
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What is the name assigned by the Commission to the unit of length?
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What was the physical standard representing the meter constructed to be equal to?
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What is the initial metric unit of mass?
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What was the name given to the fluid volume measurement for the cubic decimeter?
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What made the way the metric system was created suitable for scientific and engineering work?
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In what year did the use of the metric system become lawful in the USA?
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What is the Meter Convention?
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By what year had major nations in continental Europe and most of South America officially accepted the metric system?
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What is the General Conference on Weights and Measures?
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What were the seven units established as the base units for the system during the General Conference of Weights and Measures?
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What is the name given to the modern metric system and its abbreviation?
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Study Notes
History of the Metric System
- In 1790, during the French Revolution, the National Assembly of France tasked the French Academy of Science with creating a universal standard for all measurements.
- The system designed by the Academy was characterized as both simple and scientific, promoting clarity in measurement.
- The unit of length was defined as a fraction of the Earth's circumference, emphasizing its global relevance.
- Measures of capacity (volume and mass) were derived from the unit of length, illustrating a connection between basic units and the natural world.
- The metric system operates on a base 10 system, allowing easy calculations through multiplication or division by 10, which can simplify the process of shifting decimal points.
- The length unit was named "metre" (meter), establishing a standard measure.
- The meter was defined physically as one ten-millionth of the distance from the North Pole to the equator, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
- The initial metric unit of mass established was the gram, facilitating mass measurement.
- The metric system introduced the liter as the standard for measuring fluid volume, equal to one cubic decimeter.
- The construction of the metric system made it particularly suitable for scientific and engineering applications due to its logical and consistent structure.
- In 1866, the metric system was legalized in the USA through an Act of Congress, promoting its use in various sectors.
- The Meter Convention was established in 1875, which created international agreements for metric standards in length and mass and allowed for future refinements. The Treaty was signed by 17 nations, including the USA.
- By 1900, 35 nations, including major countries in continental Europe and most of South America, had officially adopted the metric system.
- The General Conference on Weights and Measures convened in 1960 with the 17 signatories of the Meter Convention. This conference led to significant revisions and simplifications of the metric system.
- Seven base units were established during this conference:
- Meter (length)
- Kilogram (mass)
- Second (time)
- Ampere (electric current)
- Kelvin (thermodynamic temperature)
- Mole (amount of substance)
- Candela (luminous intensity)
- The modern metric system is known as Systeme International d'Unites (SI), abbreviated as SI, providing a standardized framework for measurement globally.
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Description
Explore the key elements of the Metric System with these flashcards. Learn about its origin during the French Revolution, its scientific principles, and the standards established by the French Academy of Science. Perfect for anyone interested in measurement systems and their historical context.
