Metric System Explained with Units and Conversions

The metric system is primarily a system used for measuring length, volume, distance, temperature, and weight. It relies on the three basic units through which anything in the world can be measured. 

• Meter (m) - It is used for measuring length

• Kilogram (kg) - It is used for measuring mass

• Second (s) - it is used to measure time.

The metric system of measurement was introduced in the year 1799. Over several years, this system has been lengthened to integrate many units. Although, numerous variants of this system originated in the late 19th and early 20th century. The term metric system is another word for SI or the International systems of India.

SI Unit Metric System

The standard International System of Units ( SI Units) provides an accurate definition for meters, kilograms, and the seconds. It also describes and states four different additional units such as:

• Candela - Luminous intensity

• Ampere - Electric Current

• Kelvin - Temperature 

• Mole - Material Quantity

Metric Number Prefixes

Metric number prefixes can be used to measure very small or big things. For example- Kilo and Milli.

Common Metric Conversion Units

Here are some of the common metric conversion units that are based on the Kilogram,  meters and seconds.

• Area = Square meters ( area=length x length) Hence, the basic unit of measuring area is metres by metres = m²

• Volume = cubic  meters ( Volume=length x length) Hence, the basic unit of measuring volume is m³ ( cubic metres).

• Liter = One-thousandth of a cubic  meter ( 1m³ = 1000 liters). Hence, 1 liter= 1/1000 m³

• Time = Hour ( 1 hour= 60 mins, 1 minute= 60 seconds) Hence, 1 hour = 60 x 60=3600 seconds

• Day = ( 1day = 24 hours) Hence, 1 day = 24 x 60 x60 = 86400 seconds.

Metric Units

Here are Some Common Metric Units to Remember:

Units mentioned in bold are standard units

Metric System Conversion

Here, you learn metric system conversion of smaller to bigger units and bigger to smaller units.

The conversion of a smaller unit to a  bigger unit is similar to the conversion method of a bigger unit to a smaller unit. While converting a bigger unit to a smaller unit, ,you move the decimal point to the right side which implies that you multiply the factor but when you convert a smaller unit to a bigger one, you move the decimal point to the left side which implies that you divide the factors.

Solved Example for Metric Conversion of Bigger Unit to the Smaller Unit

1. Convert 10.20  kilograms( bigger unit)  to grams (smaller unit)

Solution: As, we are converting a bigger unit to a smaller unit, we will multiply by the factor and move the decimal point to the right

Accordingly,

10.20 kg x 1000 = 10200 g

Evolution of Metric System

The metric system is known as a measurement system that decimalises and succeeds the metre based system. First, it was also introduced in France in the 1790s. If we talk about the historical development of a metric system, this has resulted with the help of varied principles. Every fundamental dimension is circulated via a single measurement base unit. 

The base unit as per its definition has been experienced increasingly with the help of natural principles in place of physical artefacts copies. Here the system's base units are acquired through the fundamental units, these units are used as the base units such as square metre works as the unit area that is known as the length quantity. The derived unit in this system is coherent. This means to say they include merely  powers products from the base units in the absence of empirical factors. For the offered quantity, the unit owns a symbol and name that is special. This is also an extended group of large and small units that are based on the powers of ten factors. 

Since 1790, the metric system has been evolving with the evolution of technology and science by offering a universal system of measurement. Since the introduction of the International System of Units i.e. SI, other systems have also joined such as MKSA and MKS systems of units.

Solved Example for Metric Conversion of a Smaller Unit to a Bigger Unit

1. Convert 730 centigrams to grams

Solution: As,we are converting a smaller unit to a bigger unit, we will divide by the factor and move the decimal point to the left side

Accordingly,

730 cg ÷ 100 = 7.30 g

Metric System Conversion Table

Here is a metric system conversion table which helps you to solve the questions based on metric system conversion

Solved Example

1. Convert 4 Kilometers to meters

Solution: To convert kilometers to meters, we will jump 3 times from kilometers to reach the meters

Accordingly, we will multiply by 10³ = 1000

So, 4km = 4 x 1000= 4000 metres

2. Convert 6250 milligrams to grams

Solution: As we know, one gram is 1000 times larger than a milligram. Accordingly,  

1 gram = 1000 mg

And,

1 mg = 1/1000 gms

6250 mg= 6250/1000 gms

Hence, 6250 = 6.250 gms

Facts

• A metric system of measurement was introduced in the 1790s in France.

• The centimeter gram second or meter kilogram second was primarily used until the establishment of the international system of the unit in 1960.

Quiz Time

1. What is 0.005 ml?

1. 0.00005 liters

2. 5 liters

3. 50 liters

4. 0.0005 liters

     2. 20 gram is similar to

1. 2000 mg

2. 20000 mg

3. 200000 mg

4. 200 mg

      3.  A cubic centimeter is used to measure

1. Length

2. Volume

3. Mass

4. Density

    4.    Convert 560 mg to g

1. 506 g

2. 0.0056 g

3. 56000 g

4. 0.56 g

    5.   Which is a base unit in the metric system?

1. Meter

2. Liter

3. Gram

4. All of the above

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