Metric System
Converting Between English And Metric Units
The problem of changing over a highly industrialized nation such as the United States to a new system of measurements is a substantial one. Once the metric system is in general use in the United States, its simplicity and convenience will be enjoyed, but the transition period, when both systems are in use, can be difficult. Nevertheless, it will be easier than it seems. While the complete SI is intimidating because it covers every conceivable kind of scientific measurement over an enormous range of magnitudes, there are only a small number of units and prefixes that are used in everyday life.
See also Units and standards.
Resources
Books
Alder, Ken. The Measure of All Things: The Seven Year Odyssey and Hidden Error that Transformed the World. New York: Free Press, 2002.
Hebra, Alexius J. Measure for Measure: The Story of Imperial, Metric, and Other Units. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003.
Periodicals
"The International System of Units (SI)." United States Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Special Publication 330 (1991).
Other
Bartlett, David. A Concise Reference Guide to the Metric System [cited October 2002]. <http://www.bms.abdn.ac.uk/undergraduate/guidetounits.html>.
"Interpretation of the SI for the United States and Metric Conversion Policy for Federal Agencies." United States Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Special Publication 814 (1991).
Robert L. Wolke
Additional topics
Science EncyclopediaScience & Philosophy: Methane to Molecular clockMetric System - Measuring Units In Folklore And History, The Metric Units, Bigger And Smaller Metric Units, Converting Between English And Metric Units