4. Scientists realised the need to have a common system of units in order to learn from each other’s work and reproduce experimental results described by others.”
Explain this nature of science statement in not less than 100 words.

Question

4.	Scientists realised the need to have a common system of units in order to learn from each other’s work and reproduce experimental results described by others.”
Explain this nature of science statement in not less than 100 words.

farcher · Answer

The statement is not correct. The important thing is that each system of units is self consistent and that the conversion factors between the units are known. and used correctly. The importance of getting the conversion right can be seen with the loss of NASA's Mars Climate Orbiter due to ground-based computer software which produced output in non-SI units of pound-seconds (lbf s) instead of the metric units of newton-seconds (N s). The scientific community use the SI system of units as a basis when taking measurements but, for example, theoretical Physicist often use natural units which are based on physical constant like the charge on the electron and the speed of light. More about the Mars Climate Orbiter can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Climate_Orbiter and about natural units here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_units