why do you think it is that scientists prefer to use the metric system over the English system of measurement?

Question

what problems might result if a country uses both systems of measurement?

Answer 1

For a start, it is system based on divisibility by 10. So it makes all calculations easier. Everyone using the same system also removes confusion between using the same name for different measurements, such as pint and gallon, which vary between countries. As others have rightly stated, using two systems is confusing, and potentially dangerous, particularly if units are not specified, such as 32 degrees - in Fahrenheit and Celcius scales obviously mean vastly different things. Road signs of 55 would obviously mean significantly different speeds in mph and kph.

Answer 2

Metric measurements are the official SI (standard) units of measurement. They are recognized and used throughout the entire world.
Also, conversions are easier in metrics, since the unit (cm, m, km, etc.) system is based on exponential relationships (each different unit of measure is 10 times greater than the next smallest unit), whereas English measurements do not have constant relationships between every different unit (for example, the relationship between inches and feet is not the same as the relationship between feet and yars).

Answer 3

When using any two systems, there is always the possibility of making an error when converting between them. The metric system is preferred because everything is in easy-to-handle multiples of 10.

kilometer = 1000 meters
kilogram = 1000 grams
centimeter = 1/100 meter

Answer 4

For the sharing of scientific data (such as images from microscopes) it's generally easier to use the metric system because it is the most widely understood system. And it's nice because it can be continually reduced (nano, pico, etc) whereas the smallest conventional measurement in the imperial system is the micro-inch or micron, which isn't small enough to measure things like microchips and electron microscope images. Microns are generally a manufacturing unit relating to surface quality and contaminate size specifications.

Answer 5

Metric is a much SMOOTHER system. All the conversions are a multiple of 10. In the English system there is much more room for error. Like asking how many pounds are in a ton. ton = 2000lb, but maybe they meant long tun 2200lb. Metric has no ambiguity.

Answer 6

Metric system of units is very easy to remember and calculate whereas other systems of measurements involve calculations that are not always easy.
Where both systems are used it leads to confusion.

Answer 7

Scientists prefrer it because the metric system (SI) has units that are derivatives of phyiscal constants and has subdivisions of the units that are powers of ten. The numbers in metric units work out much easier.

Answer 8

the metric system is just easier all the measurements have to do with ten therefore it is easier to convert say from meter to millimeters just multiply and the US is the only country that uses yards and what not

Answer 9

This country used both at the same time and the discrepancy in units cost the US a very expensive Mars lander.

Answer 10

metric is based off of actual measurements, english is just what people made up