Chem in ContextChem in ContextLecture: Metric System; September 1, 2006; Pg1Lecture: Metric System; September 1, 2006; Pg1

I. History of the System

A. 1790 – Thomas Jeffersonproposes a US decimalbased currency (using 10s & 100s)

B. 1790 – King Louis XVI authorizes scientific investigation of French system (leads to metric system)

D. 1954 – System International edits the metric system providing new units

C. 1795 – France adopts metric system

Chem in ContextChem in ContextLecture: Metric System; September 1, 2006; Pg2Lecture: Metric System; September 1, 2006; Pg2

II. US Reluctance to Adopt the System

A. British Standard System – based on feet, yards, miles, pounds, Fahrenheit-- history of US is tied to British trade

B. Economic Cost – labels, packaging, & construction; change technology

C. Impetus to Change1) Little demand in US.2) 2009 – Europe/UK go metric

Chem in ContextChem in ContextLecture: Metric System; September 1, 2006; Pg3Lecture: Metric System; September 1, 2006; Pg3

III. Metric Units

1) Other Units -- millimeter (mm), centimeter (cm), & kilometer (km)

2) Device – meter stick, ruler

1) Other Units -- milligram (mg) & kilogram (kg)

2) Device – digital balance &triple beam balance

C. Volume – liter (L)

A. Length – meter (m)

B. Mass – gram (g)

1) Other Units -- milliter (mL) & kiloliter (kL)2) Device – graduated cylinder (BEST!),

Erlenmeyer flask, beaker, & pipette (small)Click Here for IV (Page 4) of the Lecture Notes