Measuring Up: The Evolution and Impact of the Metric System

The video explains the development and adoption of the metric system, initiated by the French in the late 1700s to standardize measurements. It covers the definition of the meter based on Earth's dimensions, the decimal system for length, mass measured in grams, and volume in liters. The video also discusses the global adoption of the metric system, the U.S.'s partial use, and the redefinition of standards using universal constants for precision. It concludes with a call to explore more resources on Science Trek.

What problem did the French face in the late 1700s regarding measurement?

• Inability to measure time accurately

• No system for measuring temperature

• Lack of a common language

• Different measurement systems in each town

How was the meter originally defined by the French?

• As the length of a piece of string

• As one-tenth millionth of the distance from the North Pole to the equator

• As the distance between two cities

• As the length of a king's foot

What is the base unit of mass in the metric system?

• Stone

• Gram

• Ounce

• Pound

What is the relationship between a liter and a cubic decimeter?

• A liter is one cubic decimeter

• A liter is one hundred cubic decimeters

• A liter is ten cubic decimeters

• A liter is one thousand cubic decimeters

Which scale is used for temperature in the metric system?

• Kelvin

• Fahrenheit

• Rankine

• Celsius

Which countries have not fully adopted the metric system?

• Australia, New Zealand, Japan

• China, India, Russia

• Canada, Mexico, Brazil

• United States, Liberia, Myanmar

Why is the U.S. standard of measurement already based on the metric system?

• Because it is easier to understand

• Because it is legally defined in metric terms

• Because it is cheaper to implement

• Because it is more traditional

What issue was discovered with the original physical standards of measurement?

• They were too expensive to produce

• They were not precise enough

• They were losing mass

• They were too large to handle

How is a meter currently defined?

• As the distance between two mountains

• As the length of a wooden stick

• As the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458th of a second

• As the length of a platinum bar

What constant is used to define the kilogram now?

• Avogadro's number

• Planck constant

• Speed of light

• Gravitational constant