Home > Science Fact Finder > Time, Weights, and Measures - What Is The Metric System Of Measurement?

1. Printable Version
2. Download PDF
3. Cite this Page

What is the metric system of measurement?

The metric system is a system of weights and measures in which all units are ten or multiples of ten. The metric system is a simplified, logical and precise framework that stands in contrast to the many illogical and imprecise units of measurement (many of which are based on parts of the human anatomy) historically used throughout the world. For instance, the meter, a basic unit of the metric system, is equal to a fraction of the circumference of the Earth (it takes 40 million meters to encircle the Earth). Another metric unit, the gram, is equal to the mass of a cubic centimeter of water. The metric system forms the basis of the Système nternationale d'Unités (SI), the English translation of which is "International System of Units."

The SI/metric system of measurement was developed by French scientists during the French Revolution (1789-99). First adopted in...

Join eNotes

The above is a free excerpt. Get total access to this content with the:

eNotes Pass

1. Time
   1. How is time measured?
   2. What is meant by Universal Time?
   3. How many time zones are there in the world?
   4. Who establishes the correct time in the United States?
   5. What is military time?
   6. What do the initials a.m. and p.m. mean?
   7. When is Daylight Savings Time observed in the United States?
   8. What is a leap second?
   9. What is the exact length of a calendar year?
   10. Where did the term "grandfather clock" come from?
   11. What were the longest and shortest years on record?
   12. Besides the Julian and Gregorian calendars, what other calendars have been used?
   13. When does leap year occur?
   14. When did January 1 become the first day of the new year?
   15. How were the months of the year named?
   16. Where do the names of the days of the week come from?
   17. Why are the lengths of the seasons not equal?
2. Weights And Measures
   1. What is the metric system of measurement?
   2. What are the U.S. and metric units of measurement for area?
   3. How did the yard as a unit of measurement originate?
   4. What is a bench mark?
   5. How was the length of a meter originally determined?
   6. How are U.S. customary measures converted to metric measures and vice versa?
   7. What is the difference between a short ton, a long ton, and a metric ton?
   8. Why is a nautical mile different from a statute mile?
   9. What are the equivalents for dry and liquid measures?
   10. What are U.S. and British measures for volume and weight of water?

1. Augustus Caesar