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Q. What is the metric system? A. The metric system is a decimal-based system of measurement units. Units for a given quantity, such as length or mass, are related by factors of 10. Calculations involve the simple process of moving the decimal point to the right or to the left. This modem system is called Le Système International d'Unites or the International System of Units, abbreviated SI. Q. Is the metric system hard to learn and use? A. No. In everyday usage, the most common metric units are the meter (m) to measure length, the second (s) to measure time, the kilogram (kg) for mass (or weight*), the liter (L) for volume, and the degree Celsius (°C) for temperature. The metric system avoids confusing dual-use of terms, such as the inch-pound system's use of ounces to measure both weight and volume. The metric system also avoids the use of multiple units for the same quantity; for instance, the inch-pound system's multiple units for volume include teaspoons, tablespoons, fluid ounces, cups, pints, quarts, and gallons. *In commercial and everyday use, the term "weight" may be used as a synonym for mass. Weight is actually the force with which a body is attracted toward the earth because of gravity. Q. Will "thinking metric" be difficult? A. Not really. For example, "thinking metric" for temperature means relating zero degrees Celsius (0 °C) with the freezing point of water, 20 degrees Celsius (20 °C) with room temperature, 37 degrees Celsius (37 °C) with body temperature, and 100 degrees Celsius (100 °C) with the boiling point of water. One millimeter (1 mm) is about the thickness of a dime, and a centimeter (1 cm) is about the width of a fingernail. Almost everyone easily recognizes one liter (1 L) and two liter (2 L) soda bottles. The contents of that unopened one liter soda bottle "weights" approximately one kilogram (1 kg). Q. Who decided the United States should convert to the metric system? A. No one "decided the United States should go metric." As stated in the amended Metric Conversion Act, the continued use of "traditional systems of weights and measures" is still permitted "in nonbusiness activities." However, metric system use has become widespread throughout our economy. Consumers may be surprised at the number of items in everyday use that have been manufactured in metric units for some time. These items are accepted with little difficulty and include photographic equipment, automobiles, computers, pharmaceutical products, wine and distilled spirits, and soft drinks. Also, our scientific and medical communities use metric units almost exclusively. Q. Is there a deadline for conversion? A. No deadline has been established. Conversion in the private sector, while encouraged, is voluntary. The Omnibus Trade & Competitiveness Act of 1988 amended the 1975 law to make the metric system the "preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade and commerce" and charged federal agencies with converting their activities to the metric system. Q. What is voluntary conversion? A. Individuals, groups, and industries decide whether or not to convert and determine conversion timetables according to their own needs. Q. Why should the United States convert to the metric system? A. Since trade and communication with other nations is critical to the health of our economy, adopting the measurement system used by 95 percent of the world's population is not a matter of choice, but a matter of necessity for the United States. Q. Why didn't we convert before? A. Support for a decimal-based measuring system has existed in the United States since the 1700s. However, there was no compelling reason to switch because of our geographical isolation and because our principal trading partner, England, did not use metric units. In time the United States became a dominant force in world trade and was able to impose its products, manufactured in their unconventional units, on other nations. Times have changed. We no longer overwhelmingly dominate world trade and must recognize the need to "fit" our goods and services into other strong markets, including the European Union, the new markets of Eastern Europe, and the expanding market of the Pacific Rim. These markets continually stress their preference for products and services based on the metric system of measurement. |
Q. What are the advantages of conversion for U.S. industry? A. During conversion to the metric system, U.S. companies are able simultaneously to streamline their operations, eliminate inefficiencies, and reduce their inventories. Because products destined for both foreign and domestic markets can be designed and manufactured to the same (metric) specifications, overlapping product lines can-be eliminated. The standardization of fasteners, components, and sub-assemblies increases the efficiency and productivity of all manufacturing processes. When firms convert fully to the metric system, they are often surprised to discover how much the conversion has increased their profits. "Converted" firms frequently report finding new customers for their new metric products and services. Q. What are the educational benefits of completing the U.S. transition to the metric system? A. A population that is highly skilled in math and science is essential for national economic and social progress. By completing the U.S. transition to the metric system, education and training in these key subjects will become much more efficient. Currently, huge blocks of time are spent learning and using cumbersome inch-pound measurements, including learning to manipulate inch-pound fractions and learning to make tedious conversions between metric and inch-pound units. Much of this time can be redirected toward more worthwhile endeavors. Opportunities for numerous additional curriculum improvements will surface when textbooks are revised to reflect the simpler metric system of units. Training at all levels, from elementary school through graduate-level engineering programs, will benefit from this important step forward. A workforce that is truly able to "speak" the metric measurement language will be better able to excel in the global marketplace. Q. Will conversion be costly? A. Costs will vary in different sectors of the economy. However, in most areas, long term benefits will be realized and should more than offset any one-time conversion costs. Many industries are converting as they develop new products and as older equipment wears out. In this way, conversion costs can be held to a minimum. Q. What is government doing about metric conversion? A. All of the major Federal agencies have established plans and internal task forces for managing their change to the metric system as called for by the amended Metric Conversion Act and a 1991 Presidential Executive Order. The General Services Administration has established metric specifications for products that it buys for Federal agencies. The Defense Department uses metric specifications in procurement and in activities involving our allies around the world. Many new NASA projects are being designed and built to metric specifications. Most design and construction of Federal Government buildings and facilities is now being done in metric units. The Commerce Department's Metric Program works with the member agencies of the Interagency Council on Metric Policy to identify and help remove barriers that may stand in the way of metric conversion in federal and state/local rules, standards, codes, and regulations. The Department of Commerce has started to implement several new outreach initiatives that seek to create greater understanding and a more favorable environment for national metrication by gaining broad-based support from industry and the general public. These initiatives include a series of information and public awareness campaigns. Q. When should the U.S. transition be completed? A. Sooner is better. America remains dependent upon two systems of measurement -- a situation that is uneconomical, inefficient, and confusing. Time is of the essence because our transition to the metric system is not becoming cheaper or easier. Costs and inconvenience will increase dramatically for everyone as society continues to grow larger and more complex. A short-term, nationwide investment in metric conversion will eliminate the costs of using two measurement systems and will provide the long-term return of an efficient single system metric economy. |
For further information contact:
Director, Metric Program
Building 820, Room 306
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
(301) 975-3690 phone, (301) 948-1416 fax
email:
metric_prg@nist.gov
URL
Address: http://www.nist.gov/metric
NIST LC 1136
October
1997
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