Re: Metric system problems
 

Most modern analytical scale use some kind of force balance. Such as a strain gauge which is really just a fancy spring. They actually have to be calibrated in place to account for variations in gravity among other things. I remember the old analytical beam balances: little knob light & mirrors. Temperamental things.

I typically convert to SI units for calculations involving mass. It is just easier. As long as you don't confuse Newton Meters with Joules. :]

Re: Metric system problems
 

Imperial measurments are so silly that The empire dosen't even use them.

Re: Metric system problems
 

another great way to keep units straight is to use a freeware program called SMath Studio. The have a live version on their webpage (http://en.smath.info/) and try it out. I use it for FRC calcs as well as in my professional life to document calculations for clients. It's a wonderful tool and functions much like MathCAD.

as a note, units can be inserted with the ' (apostrophe) key.

You can also download a portable version here: http://smath.info/wiki/(S(iymz0v3hva...with%20Plugins