Upload
prosper-hines
View
218
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Different Units
• Units are measurements of things
• Examples• Time (seconds)
• Distance (meters)
• Mass (kilograms)
• Force (pounds)
• There are several different types of units for each measurement
Converting Units
• Different countries use different units
• Converting between units is simple• There are different formulas to convert to and from different units
• Scientists must be able to convert between any given unit with ease
• Still, it can become problematic for different countries to use different units• Most countries use the metric system to measure things
• The United States still uses the imperial system for measurement
• Hopefully, the US will one day also switch over to the metric system
Problems with Different Units
• Having different standards for units causes problems
• Mars Climate Orbiter crashed in 1999 because scientists used different units• Because some scientists used the metric system
while others used the imperial system, a simple mistake caused an entire crash
• In order to prevent these kinds of mistakes, the SI unit system was made
International System of Units
• Throughout the world, students are now being taught to use SI units in science courses.
• It is based on the metric system, and all scientists today use it without problems.
• Learning the SI system also allows US students to become familiar with the metric system• It is important for all countries to one day use a
standardized system for measurement