Question

Antoine Lavoisier helped develop the metric system. Why is it useful to have a common system of measurement, such as the metric system?

A) It makes measuring a difficult process.
B) It corrects mistakes in older systems of measurement.
C) It ensures that measurements are the same everywhere.
D) It ensures that older systems of measurement are discarded.

Answer 1

The metric system, including meters and kilograms, ensures uniform measurements and simplifies conversions between units due to its base-10 structure, which aids in global scientific communication and consistency.

Step-by-step explanation:

The utility of having a common system of measurement, like the metric system, is that it ensures consistency and ease of communication across different regions and scientific disciplines. The correct choice is C) It ensures that measurements are the same everywhere. This uniformity is essential because it avoids confusion that would arise from using multiple measurement systems, which may be based on different standards, and simplifies scientific calculations and international trade.

All metric units are based on multiples of 10, which simplifies calculations and conversions. For instance, 100 centimeters make a meter, and 1000 meters make a kilometer. This simplicity allows for easy scaling with metric prefixes to measure various magnitudes, from the very small to the very large, without having to create new units.

Moreover, with the establishment of the International System of Units (SI), adopted by international agreement in 1960, the metric system has been standardized globally, further enhancing its efficiency and reliability in scientific and broader contexts.