The Unit (was: One-upsmanship (was: Secret Mac))

From: Huw Davies <Huw.Davies_at_kerberos.davies.net.au>
Date: Sun Apr 21 01:45:18 2002

At 07:35 PM 20/04/2002 +0100, Tony Duell wrote:

>That does _NOT_ explain why the base unit is called the kilogram (it's
>the name I am objecting to, and the way that multiples/submultiples are
>named [1]).

My understanding for using the Kg rather than g is that it cuts down on the
number of zeros needed. Most real world things we weigh are a more Kg like
than g. For example, a VAX-8800 might weigh 400Kg, which is 400,000g
(there's a good chance of losing one of those zeros).


Huw Davies | e-mail: Huw.Davies_at_kerberos.davies.net.au
                      | "If God had wanted soccer played in the
                      | air, the sky would be painted green"
Received on Sun Apr 21 2002 - 01:45:18 BST