Système International (abbreviated as SI) refers to the International System of Units, which is the modern metric system of measurement used worldwide for scientific, industrial, and everyday purposes. Developed in the late 18th century, SI provides a standardized set of units and a coherent framework for measurement, enabling consistency and compatibility between different fields of science and across nations.
The Systeme International is based on seven fundamental units, known as base units, that are defined by physical constants or universal phenomena. These base units are the meter (for length), kilogram (for mass), second (for time), ampere (for electric current), kelvin (for temperature), mole (for amount of substance), and candela (for luminous intensity).
In addition to these base units, the SI incorporates derived units, which are combinations of base units to represent other quantities. These derived units include the newton (force), watt (power), volt (electric potential), and many others. Prefixes such as kilo-, mega-, milli-, and micro- are commonly used to express multiples or fractions of SI units, making conversions and calculations more convenient.
The purpose of Systeme International is to provide a consistent and universally understood measurement system that promotes accuracy, precision, and interoperability in scientific research, technological developments, trade, and daily life. It has significantly simplified and harmonized measurements across different countries and disciplines, facilitating effective communication and collaboration.
