Measure of All Things The Story of Man and Measurement

Name: Measure of All Things The Story of Man and Measurement
Price: 3.72 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780312370268

ISBN-10: 0312370261

ISBN-13: 9780312370268

Edition: N/A

Authors: Ian Whitelaw

List price: $17.95

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Description:

Do you know?: The difference between a dash, a pinch, a smidgen, and a drop? How many points in a pica, or picas in an inch? The difference between a foot, a manual foot and a natural foot? How much is in a Balthazar vs. a Melchior? What classic American writer took his name from a measurement? What is the shortest length of time and the smallest possible distance? Featuring over 300 units of measurement, their origins, their history and their usage, A Measure of All Things is a compelling look at the means humankind has used to define and impose order upon the world that surrounds us all. Book jacket.

Book details

List price: $17.95
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication date: 8/7/2007
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 192
Size: 6.00" wide x 8.25" long x 1.00" tall
Weight: 0.836
Language: English



Introduction



Systems of Measurement


Early Forms of Measurement


Ancient Mediterranean Measures


Global Systems


The English-Speaking World


Imperial and Customary


The Origins of the Metric System


The Systeme International


Metrication in the United States



A Measure of Length


Feet, Furlongs, and Rods


Miles and Yards


Nautical Units


Meter: The Base Unit


Measuring the Universe


Equestrian Measurements


The Limits of Measurement


Gauging Thickness



A Measure of Area


Medieval Units of Land


Units of Area


Metric Area


Defining Paper Sizes



A Measure of Volume and Capacity


Metric Units of Volume


Bottle Designations


Imperial Units of Volume


Liquid Barrel Volumes


Cooking Measurements



A Measure of Mass


Mass vs. Weight


Imperial and U.S. Customary Units of Mass


Small Amounts and Precious Goods


Metric Mass


Mass on the Atomic Scale


The Density of Matter



A Measure of Temperature


Hotness and Coldness


A Matter of Degree


Absolute Temperature



A Measure of Time


Years and Months


Time and the Systeme International


Dividing the Second


Measuring Geological Age



A Measure of Speed


SI Units of Speed


Average Speed


Imperial and U.S. Customary Units of Speed


The Speed of Light and Sound


The Quest for c


Acceleration



A Measure of Force and Pressure


What Is Force?


SI and U.S. Customary Units of Force


Gravity and Weight


Torque and Leverage


Pressure


Atmospheric Pressure



A Measure of Energy and Power


Force in Action


Non-SI Units of Energy and Power


SI Units of Work, Energy, and Power


Radioactivity


Units of Electricity


Radiant Energy


Measuring with Lasers


Explosive Energy


Wind Power



A Measurement Miscellany


Units of Digital Information


Measuring Firewood


How Hot is a Chill?


Ring Sizes


Units of Concentration


Hardness


Typography


SI Diagram


Epilogue


Index