Unit
Unit is a fundamental concept in mathematics and science. In the broadest sense, a unit is a standard measure or quantity that is used to express the amount of a given attribute or property. Units are used in a wide range of fields, from physics and chemistry to economics and engineering. They are essential for quantifying and comparing different quantities, and for performing calculations.
Definition[edit | edit source]
A unit is defined as a particular amount of a physical quantity, defined and adopted by convention, with which other quantities of the same kind are compared to express their value. The value of a physical quantity is expressed as a number times a unit. The choice of units depends on the quantities being measured, the field of study, and the system of units being used.
Types of Units[edit | edit source]
There are several types of units, including:
- Base units: These are the fundamental units in a system of units, from which all other units are derived. Examples include the meter for length, the kilogram for mass, and the second for time in the International System of Units (SI).
- Derived units: These are units that are derived from the base units through multiplication or division. Examples include the newton for force (derived from the meter, kilogram, and second) and the joule for energy (derived from the newton and meter).
- Non-SI units accepted for use with the SI: These are units that are not part of the SI, but are accepted for use with it. Examples include the minute for time and the liter for volume.
- Non-SI units: These are units that are not part of the SI and are not accepted for use with it. Examples include the foot for length and the pound for mass.
Systems of Units[edit | edit source]
There are several systems of units, including:
- International System of Units (SI): This is the modern form of the metric system, and is the most widely used system of units. It is based on seven base units, including the meter, kilogram, and second.
- Imperial units: This is a system of units that was used in the British Empire and is still used in the United Kingdom and other countries. It includes units such as the foot, pound, and gallon.
- United States customary units: This is a system of units that is used in the United States. It is similar to the Imperial system, but has some differences.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
| Unit Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
