Problems
The main problem of metric time lies in the units. The International System of Units has only developed prefixes regarding 10 units exponentially in both the multiple and submultiple directions. The first three multiples would be viable for use within a metric time system; they are:
| Multiple | Name of Unit | Seconds | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | decasecond | 10 | |
| 102 | hectosecond | 100 | 1.666 |
| 103 | kilosecond | 1 000 | 16.666 |
However, the SI Units’ fourth value is:
| Multiple | Name of Unit | Seconds | Minutes | Hours | Days | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 106 | megasecond | 1 000 000 | 16 666.666 | 277.777 | 11.574 | |
| 109 | gigasecond | 1 000 000 000 | 16 666 666.666 | 277 777.777 | 11 574.074 | 31.689 |
This makes for relatively nonviable units with which to measure human time/life.
To make this system of prefixes work for metric time, standard units and prefixes would need to be developed or revived for the 4th and 5th exponents to make metric time viable to human life. Historically, the metric system included a myria- prefix to represent 104, but the SI disposed of it. 105 was represented using various ad hoc solutions; 100 000 meters composed a grade, 100 000 pascals composed a bar, and 100 000 dynes composed a newton. Meteorologists currently use a unit of 100 000 seconds (a quantity on the order of a day) to quantify atmospheric vorticity at the synoptic scale; the unit, however, does not have a name.
| Multiple | Name of Unit | Seconds | Minutes | Hours | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104 | myriasecond | 10 000 | 166.6 | 2.777 | |
| 105 | metric day | 100 000 | 1 666.6 | 27.77 | 1.157 |
Read more about this topic: Metric Time
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