Metric and Imperial System
Imperial units, sometimes referred to as the British Imperial System is the standard system of weights and measures officially used in Great Britain from 1824 until the metric system was introduced in 1965. The Customary System of weights and measures of the United States is derived from the British Imperial System. International System of Units(abbreviated to SI) is the latest international standard metric system. Since the 1790s, as science and technology have progressed, metric systems have evolved to include a single standardized measurement device.
Why we Need a Metric Conversion Chart Table?
Except for Myanmar, Liberia and the United States of America (USA) all the countries in the world uses the metric system as the primary measurement system. India, China, European countries, Russia all uses metric system whereas the USA still uses the Imperial system as the primary measurement system. There are some countries like United Kindom which uses both the Metric and Imperial system.
Since the USA hosts the most prestigious universities in the world. It is necessary for students to understand both systems of measurement. Also, it is important to know the conversion of Imperial weight to metric and vice versa.
Students should be familiar with the metric conversion chart table which gives the fundamental unit conversion between the Metric and Imperial systems. Also, most of the time Imperial to Metric conversion formula will be used for derived units.
Metric Conversion Chart Table
For Length:
For Area:
For Mass:
Imperial to Metric Conversion Formula
There are some units like tempurature which need the formula to convert the Imperial system to the metric system and vice versa. Celsius and Kelvin are units of temperature measurement in the Metric system whereas Fahrenheit is the unit of temperature measurement in the Imperial system.
The Imperial to Metric Conversion Formula for temperature is as follows:
Fahrenheit to Celsius
oF = 1.8oC + 32
Celsius to Fahrenheit
oC = (oF - 32)/1.8
Kelvin to Celcius
K = oC + 273
Problems on Metric And Imperial Conversions
1) Convert 50 inches to meters.
Ans: 1 inch is equal to 0.0254 m. Therefore 50 inch will be equal to 50 * 0.0254 = 1.27 m.
2) Convert 20 meters to the yard.
Ans: We know that 1 yard is equal to 0.9144 m. So, 1 meter will be equal to 1/0.9144= 1.09361.
Therefore 20 meters will be equal to 20*1.09361=21.8723.
3) Convert 20 ounces to Kilograms.
Ans: From the Metric conversion chart table we know that 1 ounce equal 0.02835 Kg. Therefore 20 ounces will be equal to 20 * 0.02835 = 0.567 Kg.
4) Convert 80oF to oC.
Ans: We have a formula to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius.
oC = (oF - 32)/1.8
oC = (80 - 32)/1.8
oC = 48/1.8
oC = 26.67
So 80oF is equal to 26.67oC.
5) Convert 300oC to oF.
Ans: The formula to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit is as follows:
oF = 1.8oC + 32
oF = 300oC + 32
oF = 332
So 300oC to 332oF.
Conclusion
For many factors, the metric system is the preferred scientific unit system.
The metric method of measurement is used by most countries in the world.
They are easily converted by shifting the decimal point since metric units are decimal-based.
The metric system is designed to make it easy to perform and understand measurements and calculations, which is one of the key reasons scientists use it.
FAQs on Imperial Conversion Chart
1. What is an Imperial Conversion Chart?
An Imperial Conversion Chart is a reference tool that helps you convert measurements from the Imperial system (like inches, feet, pounds, and gallons) to the Metric system (like metres, grams, and litres), or vice versa. It provides the standard values needed to switch between these two systems easily.
2. What are some common Imperial units used for measurement?
The Imperial system uses various units for different types of measurements. Some common examples include:
- Length: Inches, feet, yards, and miles.
- Weight (Mass): Ounces, pounds, and tons.
- Volume (Capacity): Fluid ounces, pints, quarts, and gallons.
3. How do you convert inches to centimetres (cm) using a conversion chart?
To convert inches to centimetres, you need to know the key conversion factor: 1 inch equals 2.54 centimetres. If you have a measurement in inches, you simply multiply that number by 2.54 to get the equivalent length in centimetres. For example, 10 inches is equal to 10 x 2.54 = 25.4 cm.
4. What is the main difference between the Imperial and Metric systems?
The main difference lies in how they are structured. The Metric system is a decimal-based system, where units scale by powers of 10 (e.g., 100 cm in 1 m, 1000 m in 1 km), making calculations simple. The Imperial system does not use a consistent base; for example, there are 12 inches in a foot and 3 feet in a yard, which can make conversions more complex.
5. Is the Imperial system of measurement still used in India?
Officially, India adopted the Metric system in 1957. However, the Imperial system is still commonly used in some specific areas due to historical influence. For instance, you might see land and property measured in 'feet' or 'yards', and plumbing pipes are often sold in 'inches'.
6. Why is it important to learn how to convert between different measurement systems?
Learning to convert units is a crucial skill for several reasons. It helps in understanding international products and information, is essential for subjects like Science and Maths, and is useful in everyday life, such as following recipes from other countries or working on DIY projects. It ensures accuracy and prevents confusion when dealing with different standards.
7. What is a common mistake students make when converting Imperial units?
A very common mistake is using the wrong conversion factor or mixing up when to multiply versus divide. For example, when converting a larger unit to a smaller unit (like feet to inches), you multiply. When converting a smaller unit to a larger one (like inches to feet), you divide. It's important to remember this relationship to avoid errors.
