why do scientists find it helpful to use the metric system?

Answer 1

This seems like such a silly question, as the metric system is so superior to the English system, and not just for scientists. We all need to have a simple, easy, and unambiguous system of measurement.

Why is metric better? Let me think of the ways:

1. metric is always a base 10 system - check how many fingers you have
2. metric volume, length, and weight are all inter-related and based on the most common useful substance on earth - water. For example1 liter (1000 cc) of water weighs exactly one kg and is exactly 10x10x10 cm. Or you could say 1000 liters of water weighs one metric tonne and is exactly 1 x 1 x 1 m. Try figuring out how many gallons or pounds of water are in your swimming pool. With metric its easy, and if its not water you're dealing with, just multiply the specific gravity (SG) of the liquid or gas you are working with by the equivalent water and you've got your answer. Thats's because SG is a metric number.
3. There are no odd dimensions like furlongs and feet in a mile.
4. A liter is always a liter - unlike the gallon and the quart which have 3 different kinds, Imperial, US liquid, and US dry. Talk about confusion.
5. Every country on earth uses the metric system, oh wait, we don't use it in the US.
6. It is the universal measuring system, makes sense, is less error-prone, avoids fractions, and is simple to learn.
7. Even the lowly "barrel" has an easy metric conversion of 200 liters, or you can try to distinguish between 45 Imp gallons or 55 US liquid gallons.
8. What's the freezing and boiling point of water? 32/212°F or 0/100°C. Starting to get the point?
9. see more good reasons in above answers

Answer 2

There are advantages to using base 10. Mega, kilo, milli, micro, nano etc. Very catchy in product logos and company names as well.

What really lends support to the metric system is the consistency of units as well. All units are based off only a very few key concepts. For example 1 cm^3 = 1 ml and for mass, 1 g H2O = 1 ml. Also, celsius degrees are based on the 0 for freezing point and 100 for boiling point of H2O.

The American (formerly English) system is made up of a hodge podge of different units cobbled together by, well cobblers and farmers and such. We have multiple "units" for the same measure. We could just use inches for length and then have kiloinches and megainches. Use ounces for weight; I'd be 2.83 kOz!

There are advantages to using fractional systems as well. With the advent of computers and base 2 arithmetic, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, ... start to be familiar. The early unit systems found calculation of "parts" easier when using highly composite numbers like 12= (2*2*3) and 16 = (2*2*2*2). I can divide a foot into halves twice; 12 = 6 + 6 and then 6 = 3 + 3. 10 doesn't work so well yielding 5+5 and then 5 = 2.5 + 2.5. Dividing into thirds is worse 10 = 3.33....+ 3.33....+ 3.33... verses 12 = 4 + 4 + 4.
I find working with cooking recipes in metric difficult because when trying to halve a recipe I'm very good at creating fractions in the clunky old gallon, quart, pint, cup system!

We should have been born with 12 fingers (or 16)!

Answer 3

The imperial system is a hodge podge of units derived from human body parts (often the ruling monarch of the day was used as the standard hence imperial) as well as what ever unit was deemed relevant for various industries trade. Imperial often used what ever was the most simple unit for a very narrow context. The trouble with any system is that if it is 'simple' then it tends to be complex in it's use. Whereas if complexity occurs in the design phase of a system then it's use therafter can be simple. The metric system was worked out by commitee (as was the SI system) with the intention of simplicity of use. Body parts are still involved in sutble ways here and there but only as concept not the size of a unit. For instance there is nothing 'natural'about being 'base10'other than the fact that we have ten digits on our hands (digit is derived from an earlier word for finger/thumb) The ancient mayans had a base 20 system (they probably had open shoes!). For simplicity of use the metric system was based on multiples of 10. There is also a tyendancy to choose a most convienient substance to help with standardisation. However we are now looking at the SI system. Not everything in the SI system is metric. However it is the preffered use of the SI that makes Scientists prefer metric.

Water is a prime example of how the SI system was planned to work. Water boils at 100C and freezes at 0C (standard pressure) it weighs 1kg for 1litre (if pure) and therefore has a density of 1 (kg/litre this is not exactly SI though as cubic meters are the SI official unit for volume).

That mars mission that failed a few years back was because scientists had given a figure in kilometers to a programmer who put the value in miles in the computer, Smack! Interestingly the US won't change because of the impact economically which is what gave rise (trade and business) to the imperial systemin the first place.

"If God had mean't us to be metric, God would have given us ten toes......."

Answer 4

the is USA is the only nation who it isn't blindingly obvious that the metric system is the far better system. I believe the American Marines use the metric system too. The again American has the worlds most stupid gun laws. In short it is easier to manipulate number in base 10 especially when our counting system is also base 10.
Do you know how many links in a chain? or how many furlongs to the mile?
come on America join the 1840's go metric

Answer 5

Firstly, it's not just scientist, but to your question...ease of conversion is probably the strongest factor. Cubic centimeters is the same thing as milliliters, so 100 cc's is 100ml. How much in quarts is 100 cubic inches? Secondly, because it is base 10 you don't have to remember 4 oz in a cup, 5280 ft in a mile etc. Everything is 10 (or a multiple of ten) larger or smaller. How much simpler could it be?

Answer 6

Because it makes sensel and is easy to use. We should all use the metric system for any kind of formal measurements.

Answer 7

Because it's easier to work with multiples of 10 than multiples of 12, plus you have to remember all the other things (how many oz in a lb, lbs in a stone, stones in a hundredweight etc). How many inches are in 53 1/2 feet? Bet you can't do it instantly. But if I asked you how many cm in 53 1/2 metres it's easy - 5350.

Answer 8

Because ii is based on a sensical system, not an antiquated system such af the length of the foot of a certain king is defined as a foot.

Answer 9

It uses base 10.

Answer 10

Because it is easy. Every thing is in tens. 1 meter = 10 centimeters.( little bigger than a yard ) 1000 = 1 kilometer ( 5/8 mile I believe)
The same thing happens what ever you measure