09 2.4 Systems of units
Different parts of the world have used different systems to define the three mechanical fundamental quantities:
1Length
C.G.S (French / Gauss system)
- centimetre (cm)
F.P.S (Imperial system)
- foot (ft)
M.K.S (Metric system)
- metre (m)
2Mass
C.G.S (French / Gauss system)
- gram (g)
F.P.S (Imperial system)
- pound (lb)
M.K.S (Metric system)
- kilogram (kg)
3Time
C.G.S (French / Gauss system)
- second (s)
F.P.S (Imperial system)
- second (s)
M.K.S (Metric system)
- second (s)
Notice that time is measured in seconds in every system; the systems differ in length and mass.
Having several systems caused confusion in trade and science, so scientists agreed on one system for the whole world.