"15 to 20 kilometers per second"
"thousands of cubic kilometers"
"metric tons"
"100 kilometer-wide"
I was born in America, where the common people are educated to use standard English measurements. Despite the fact that the academic class has adopted the metric system in their work, the average man and woman in this country has not.
I understand that a base 10 system of measurement is superior to others, but I also think it's arrogant when writers and scientists insist on using it to communicate to the broad American public when most of us only have a vague grasp of it.
It's really not that hard to communicate to us in a language we understand.
I can commiserate to a degree because it is hard to use our mind’s eye to visualize something. However, English and metric have become the language of science and it is important to be precise in standardized communications. As much as I’ve traveled in metric countries, I have to think “.6 miles” and “just over a yard” and “about one quart” when driving and getting gas!
#10 Base 10 is not superior!
To convert to rods and chains I just google.... : )
convert kilometers to rods
convert kilometers to chains
1 kilometer =
198.838782 rods
1 kilometer =
49.7096954 chains
Jumping on the band wagon:
“5 to 8 kilometers in diameter” = BIG
“15 to 20 kilometers per second” = Really Fast
“thousands of cubic kilometers” = A WHOLE LOT
“metric tons” = HEAVY
“100 kilometer-wide” = Bertha Butt Wide
:)