Types of Measurement Categories - Essay Example

Measurement Measurement can be described as the act of assigning a particular range of numbers to an object or even an event in order to define certain aspects of the object/event (NIST). It is used to define certain natures of objects such as length, weight and volume and can deal with issues such as time when dealing with events as well. Measurement can be considered to be one of the world’s more practical discoveries and is present in almost everything that individuals involve themselves in (Emerson 46). It also plays a large role in various industries and is an essential part of the calculations that take place in their activities. Without the invention of figures and measuring standards, it would be extremely difficult for industries to perform the tasks accurately and efficiently (Ambrose & Harris 45). One of the industries that measurement plays a large role in is Engineering and Construction and without this practice it would be extremely difficult for those working in this industry to perform their duties. Types of Measurement categories As mentioned earlier, there are different types of measurements that can be found with regard to what in particular an individual is trying to measure (Baines & Haslam 59). These measurements can either be used on their own or jointly depending on the task that the individual measuring wants to perform. The categories that are used for measurement of specific areas can be referred to as Units (Ambrose & Harris 36). Some of the aspects of objects that may require measuring include areas such as: Mass – This has to do with the weight of an object and is one of the most common aspects of measurement as it used in almost every single activity including the weighing of oneself in a bid to keep an eye on their body weight (Emerson 23). This is popularly referred to as body mass index. Length – This is in regard to how long an object is. There are a number of units that are used to measure length with the most popular including centimeters, meters and kilometers among others. Time – This can be said to be the most popular type of measurement as it is used by everyone no matter their field of expertise and thus can be referred to as a general act of measurement. Time is measured in seconds, minutes and hours in general but there are other units if one wishes to divide it further (Emerson 25). Measurement Systems Measurement systems refer to the available units that an individual is able to conduct their measurements in (Emerson 47). The different systems available have different units of measurements that are used to calculate the various aspects of an object such as weight, length and so on. Three of the most common measurement systems that have been used over the years include the Imperial system and the SI system. The Imperial System This system is also known as the English system and was developed by the British. It was once the most popular system in use at one point in time before the switch to use of the SI system (Baines & Haslam 67). The main countries that used these system included the Common wealth countries, the United States and of course the Britons themselves. After a while the system became known as the U.S. Customary units as they maintained the use of these units after other countries made the switch to the SI system and it is still in use there and in certain Caribbean countries as well. Though Britain formally moderately changed to the SI system, many Imperial units still remain in use in this country. The SI System The full name for this particular system is the International System of Units and its abbreviation came from the French language (Systeme International d'Unites). It is a recent revision of the metric system and can be termed as the world’s most popular system of units at the moment with most countries either adapting all or part of the system (Ambrose & Harris 32). There are two categories of SI units in existence, they include the base units that deal with the simpler measurements such as time, temperature, length and mass, and the derived units that are made from the base units and include measurements such as Watts for electricity. Measurement of Length For the sake of the article, one kind of measurement will be concentrated on and this will be the measurement of length (Emerson 45). This can be considered to be one of the simplest as well as most popular forms of measurement that is currently in existence. The measurement of length as mentioned earlier can be described as the determining of an objects size in terms of the space it covers from point A to point B when laid across a surface (NIST). Some of the more common units that are used in the measurement of this aspect include meters, centimeters and kilometers. Other units belonging to other systems include measurements such as miles. Uses There are a number of uses that the measurement of length is applied to depending on the particular scenario where it is being utilized. Some of these uses include industrial and construction purposes where various materials is measure out so as to attain a particular length that is needed in the construction of a particular product or item during manufacturing. Industries that deal with such measurements include the construction industry that in particular depend largely upon the measurement of length so as to erect the building in a manner that will make it safe for inhabitation. The transportation industry is also another industry that depends on the measurement of length to a certain degree (Emerson 56). This has to do with the traveling that takes place and the distance covered. Measurement of the length of the road covered is used to determine the distance covered by the individual traveling. The measurement of length in this area can be used to explain to an individual how far a place is (NIST). One is able to describe the location of a place they are traveling to in terms of length for example one can say that city is 12 kilometers to the north (Emerson 56). Using such descriptions, one is able to give directions as well. The manufacturing of bit parts of machinery also require the use of measurement of length as when making certain objects it is essential for certain parts to be of a particular size. Works Cited Ambrose, Gavin & Paul Harris. Fundamentals of typography Lausanne; Worthing: AVA Academia, 2006. Baines, Phil & Andrew Haslam. Type and typography London: Laurence King, 2005. Emerson, W.H. "On quantity calculus and units of measurement". Metrologia 45 (2), 2008. National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2008). Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI) (NIST Handbook) http://physics.nist.gov 6th March 2013. Read More