A coherent system of units is a system of units based on a system of quantities in such a way that the equations between the numerical values expressed in the units of the system have exactly the same form, including numerical factors, as the corresponding equations between the quantities. For example the use of the kilometre for road distances, and the millimetre for architectural plans. The use of subunits provides flexibility and convenience when expressing quantities of different orders of magnitude in everyday use. Any SI prefix can be combined with any SI unit to form a subunit. The SI defines a set of standard prefixes to denote decimal multiples and sub-multiples. For example, length is measured using the metre, and time is measured using the second. Each physical quantity has only one SI unit. Any quantity expressed using SI units can be understood independently of language. Standard symbolsĪll SI units have universally understood standard symbols. Calculations involving SI units are as straight forward as any other calculation using the standard decimal number system.
Modern definitions of all SI units are more precise, but each unit is still defined in terms of one or more unchanging properties of nature, such as the speed of light in vacuum, or the charge on an electron. Originally the metre was based on the distance from the Earth’s North Pole to its equator, and the kilogram was based on the mass of water contained by a volume of 1⁄1000 of a cubic metre. Units in the SI are based on unchanging properties of the natural world. It includes a number of desirable properties: Units based on nature The International System of Units (SI) is designed to be easy to use and widely applicable. 10 000 m can be expressed as 10 km by combining the prefix symbol k (meaning 1000) with the unit symbol m.
Symbols for prefixes and units are combined in the same way as their names. Unlike abbreviations, symbols are independent of language and alphabet, and can be universally understood. In addition to names, each unit and prefix in the metric system has a unique symbol. 10 000 metres can be expressed as 10 kilometres by combining the prefix ‘kilo’ (meaning 1000) with the unit name ‘metre’. Subunits can be constructed for any unit by combining any one of the standard set of prefixes with the unit name. The use of prefixes to denote decimal multiples and sub-multiples means that only one unit is required for any given quantity. Examples of derived units with special names and symbols Special name
To simplify their expression, some derived units have been given special names and symbols. Units for all other quantities are called derived units, and are defined as products of powers of one or more of the base units. Each defining constant is either an unvarying property of nature, or a technical constant. The metric system consists of a set of seven base units, for quantities including length, time and mass.Īll seven base units are defined from a set of seven constants which, in the SI, have fixed numerical values. This, together with the use of subunits based on multiples and submultiples of 10, make all calculations using metric units as straight forward as any other calculation using decimal numbers. Each quantity has one unit to measure it. Units of measurement in the metric system relate to each other in a logical and coherent manner. Since its original inception, the metric system has evolved to become a single coherent system used for measurement in all fields of human endeavour, including science, medicine, technology, industry, commerce and sport. However, its application is not restricted to everyday use. It is the standard system of measurement for international trade. It is also used to measure temperature, electricity and the brightness of light bulbs. In everyday use, it is used to measure road distances and speeds, floor areas, storage volumes, energy consumption, and the mass and volumes of food and drink. It is based on the standard decimal number system, and is designed to be easy to learn, and simple to use. Officially known as the International System of Units (SI), the metric system is the international standard system of measurement.
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