The advantages of the “Metric” system of units over the “English” system
What are the advantages of the “Metric” system of units over the “English” system? Are there any advantages to the “English” system?
The U.S. is the only major industrialized country that still uses the “English” system of units. Why do you suppose that this is the case?
Do you think that the U.S. will ever fully adopt the metric system? Why or why not?
Do an online search to find examples of situations where a conflict of units has caused some kind of problem. This should be an example like the crash of the “Mars Climate Orbiter”. Some disasters, like the destruction of the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia were not caused by this issue.
We use the scientific method to help us gain understanding about how the world works. What is the role of scientific consensus in reaching this understanding? How does the issue of consensus interact with the issue of skepticism in science?
What are some of the dangers when political pressure is put on scientists to change their results? What happens when entrenched political or economic interests are threatened by scientific findings?
Sample Solution
The advantages of the “Metric” system of units over the “English” system Metric system is a system of measurement that succeeded the decimalized system based on the meter introduced in France in the 1790s. The metric system and English system both measure length, weight, and capacity. When using the metric system, it is easier to change measurements than when using the English system (Guenthner, 2008). This is because the metric system uses the powers of 10s. As such, switching from centimeters to kilometers to meters is also very easy. On the other hand, the English system is sophisticated with its sets of rules that govern conversion. Another advantage of the metric system is the simple vocabulary that is easy to use. Every measurement unit has its own base word. For instance, gram is the base word for weight and meter for length.
this service ranges from small acts of courtesy to far reaching principles and actions such as those demonstrated by people like Mother Theresa, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. Most of us do not achieve their kind of broad recognition and impact, but that does not make our smaller acts of service any less important. Even a small light surrounded by darkness can be seen from a great distance. There is so much hate and darkness in the world that no act of Love or Light is insignificant.