Metric System in Everyday Applications

What is the Metric System?

• The metric system is a decimal-based measurement system used internationally, with basic units of grams (weight), meters (length), and liters (volume).
• It is used to measure various quantities, including time, amount of a substance, temperature, electrical current, and light intensity.

Examples of Metric System Measurements

• A half-marathon is 21.0975 kilometers long.
• The average weight of an adult human is between 60 and 80 kilograms.
• Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level.

On What Is the Metric System Based?

• The metric system was first established around a base unit called the meter, derived from the Greek "metron," meaning "measure".
• The original meter was designed to be a unit that could be divided into smaller or larger units as needed to represent any object's length.

Learning the Metric System

• The easiest way to learn the metric system is by learning its prefixes, which can be multiplied or divided by powers of 10 to obtain larger or smaller units.
• The prefixes, from largest to smallest, are: kilo-, hecta-, deca-, base unit, deci-, centi-, and milli-.

List of Metric Units

• Mass: gram (g)
• Distance: meter (m)
• Time: second (s)
• Amount of a chemical substance: mole (mol)
• Temperature: degree Celsius (C)
• Electrical current: ampere, or amp (A)
• Light intensity (luminosity): candela (cd)
• Volume: liter (L)

History of the Metric System

• The metric system was first developed to establish standard units of measurement, particularly important for trade and communication across cultures.
• It was officially adopted in France in 1790, but its use did not become widespread until the 1840s.
• Despite its international use, the United States never officially adopted the metric system as its standard system of measurement.

Uses of the Metric System

• The metric system is commonly used in scientific fields, such as chemistry and physics, due to its easy conversion and straightforward application.
• It is also used in mechanical fields, electrical engineering, and pharmaceuticals.
• Many countries, excluding the United States, use the metric system as their official system of measurement.

Fun Facts About the Metric System

• The metric system is often abbreviated as "SI", which stands for "Systeme International" or the "International System" of units.
• The original meter bar was not exactly one meter long, but was off by a fraction of a millimeter.
• The metric system is the most widely used measurement system globally.