On Monday 2004 March 01 04:01, Big Chimp wrote:
> Carsten,
>
> The litre is not an SI unit, but is approved for use with SI.  Both the "L"
> and "l" and acceptable symbols for litre.  The "L" was approved in the '70s
> to prevent confusion between the small l (ell) and the number one "1".
>
> The symbols kgs and mt are the result of sloppy usage and not a sign of
> acceptance of these as alternate symbols.  kgs means kilogram seconds and
> mt means millitonnes (or MT means megatesla).  There really is not such
> unit as a "metric ton".  It is a slang term created to distinguish it from
> the tonne.

It may or may not be considered a sland term, but it is not to distinguish it 
from the tonne; the two are synonymous.

> The original UK tonne of 2200 (998 kg) pound was redefined under the WMA to
> be now 1000 kg.  Thus, there is no confusion as to its meaning.  In the US,
> this tonne was once called the "long ton".  The US ton of 2000 (907 kg)
> pounds is called a short ton officially, but not in common terms.

The 'original' UK ton (not 'tonne') was 20 x 112 lb= 2240 lb. It has never 
been 're-defined'. It is simply no longer used. The only legal 'ton' is the 
tonne.


-- 
Chris KEENAN
UK Metric Assoc: www.metric.org.uk

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