LEARNING THE METRIC SYSTEM - USING THE UNITS OF VOLUME

LEARNING THE METRIC SYSTEM – USING THE UNITS OF VOLUME

Apr 15, 2018 Features / Columnists, Standards in Focus

As Guyana maintains focus on the full implementation of the SI (Metric) Units in daily measurement practices, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is continuously offering guidance to stakeholders within the various sectors to ensure the adoption and correct use of this legal system of measurement.
Therefore, it is relevant for every citizen to refresh and recommit to the use of the metric system, as we place focus on the units of Volume.
Most of us would know that the Metric System is a measurement system using Standard International (SI) Units. It is simple to learn and easy to use because of its decimal nature.
Let’s look at the metric units used for measuring Liquids also referred to as measurement by Volume. Volume is referred to the space an object occupies and it is measured in cubic metres (m3). The volume of a container is generally understood to be the capacity of the container, that is, the amount of fluid (gas or liquid) that the container could hold.
Therefore, the Metric unit for measuring Volume is the cubic meter (m3) but the Litre, which is a unit of volume denoted as capital “L” is used especially for measuring liquids. The general rule for writing metric symbols is to use lower case letters. However, there is an exception in this case.
The Litre was derived from the Kilogram. 1 Litre (L) of water at 40C weighs 1 kilogram.
The Litre is used for measuring intermediate and large amounts of liquids, such as fuel at the filling stations, juices, water, and cooking oil.
For those who are unfamiliar with this unit of measurement, One Litre is equivalent to one and three quarters of a pint. In addition, 4.546 Litres are equivalent to one gallon.
Another commonly used unit is the Millilitre (mL). The millilitre is used for measuring very small amounts of liquids. For example, contents of medicines.
1000 millilitres is equal to one litre.
In Guyana, soft drinks are sold in 250 mL, 500 mL or ½ litre, 1 litre and 2 litre packages.
There has been significant progress in the implementation of this unit of measurement locally. Wholesalers of liquid commodities have been measuring, prepackaging and labelling the said commodities in litres and millilitres with the exception of a few who still label soft drinks in imperial units.
Further, the GNBS has managed to have all fuel stations throughout the country convert their dispensing meters from imperial to metric, and as such, fuel is sold in Litres and millilitres.
Wholesalers and retailers of all liquid commodities, especially drinking water, now need to go a step further and label their commodities totally in Si units, excluding the imperial conversions. Advertisements for these commodities also need to be done in the same manner.
CONSUMERS DO NOT BUY RICE, PEAS AND OTHER SOLID GRAINS BY PINTS, GALLONS OR LITRES. THESE COMMODITIES MUST BE WEIGHED AND SOLD BY MASS BECAUSE THEY ARE SOLID. BUY THESE COMMODITIES BY GRAMMES AND KILOGRAMMES.
For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0065, 219-0062.

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