The 3 Measurement Systems: MKS, CGS, and Technical (or Engineering).

Table of Contents

Introduction to Measurement Systems.

Discover the differences between CGS, MKS, and Technical Measurement Systems. This article explores the three main systems. Each system has its own advantages and applications, so it’s essential to know which one to use for a specific project. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of the different measurement systems and how they impact your work.

In physics and other disciplines of natural sciences, it is essential to have values and units to describe the different magnitudes of your daily life. For example, it is important to mention that it is 34°C on a hot day. If it were 34°F, everything would be completely different: it’s equivalent to 1.1°C! This undoubtedly indicates a very, very cold time. How strange, isn’t it? That’s how important units are!

It is also easy to see that units are related to each other. For example, mass and weight are related to each other, but each of these variables can be measured in different units that, in turn, are related to each other (what a tongue twister!). In this article, we will try to decipher what all this means that we have said.

To establish a system of units, three fundamental magnitudes are required, which can then be related to each other. We begin by saying that physicists have chosen to work with three different measurement systems of units, based on which magnitudes each system chooses as fundamental. Let’s take a look at each of them:

MKS, CGS, and Technical (or Engineering) systems

MKS system

Also called the absolute system, the MKS is a measurement system based on units of LENGTH, MASS, and TIME.

The acronym MKS refers precisely to the words meter, kilogram, and second, which are the base units of this subsystem. Lengths are measured in meters, mass is measured in kilograms, and time is measured in seconds. This is quite useful for measuring magnitudes whose dimensions are often large, such as the width of a house, the height of a giraffe, or the mass of a whale.

Here is a table with the different magnitudes and their units, from the point of view of the MKS system:

CGS system

Also known as the centimeter-gram-second system, the CGS is a measurement system is the other of the measurement systems based on LENGTH, MASS, and TIME. However, the abbreviation CGS refers to the words centimeter, gram, and second. Which of the three units is shared with the MKS system?

Lengths are measured in centimeters, mass is measured in grams, and time, in seconds. This subsystem is not widely used, as it is only useful for measuring magnitudes whose dimensions are small, such as the width of your cell phone, the mass of a worm, or the energy of a butterfly’s flutter.

Here is a table with the different magnitudes and their units, from the point of view of the MKS system:

Sistema TÉCNICO

The technical system is another measurement system and the last one we will see in this article. It is also called the gravitational system and differs radically from the previous two in that its fundamental magnitudes are no longer length, mass, and time, but rather LENGTH, WEIGHT, and TIME. We have highlighted in italics the magnitude that sets the technical system apart from the others.

Its fundamental units are meter, kilogram-force, and second. Ignoring the fact that it uses kilogram-force as a fundamental unit, which system does it resemble more: MKS or CGS?

Here is a table with the different magnitudes and their units, from the point of view of the technical system.

Resources

Heinemann, A. G. (1988). Física: Mecánica-Fluidos-Calor (No. 53). Ángel Estrada.

Here are some resources where you can find simulations and videos about measurement systems and units:

1. PhET Interactive Simulations – This website offers a range of interactive simulations on various science and engineering topics, including measurement systems and units. You can explore simulations on topics such as converting units, measuring distance, and more. Available on https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics/measurement
2. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – NIST is a United States government agency that is responsible for promoting measurement science and standards. Their website provides access to a range of resources related to measurement systems and units, including videos, tutorials, and interactive tools. Available on https://www.nist.gov/topics/physics/measurement-and-units
3. The Physics Classroom – The Physics Classroom is an online resource for high school physics students and teachers. They have a section on measurement and units, which includes interactive simulations, tutorials, and practice problems. Available on https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/measurement
4. NASA Education – NASA offers a range of educational resources for students and teachers, including videos and interactive simulations on various topics related to space and science. They have a section on measurement and units, which includes simulations on measuring distance and time, and converting units. Available on https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Measurement_Resources.html

These resources should provide you with a good starting point for exploring simulations and videos related to measurement systems and units.

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