Academic Writing for International Students of Science - Jane Bottomley 2015
9.5 Units of measurement
9 Academic and scientific conventions
Measurements should be presented following the SI (Système International d’Unités). The following are used widely throughout the scientific world. Note the use or non-use of capital letters and spaces in the examples: it is important that you write these correctly.
Measuring length
Unit
Abbreviation
Example
metre
m
100 m
centimetre
cm
50 cm
millimetre
mm
10 mm
nanometre
nm
400 nm
Weighing mass
Unit
Abbreviation
Example
kilogram
kg
40 kg
gram
g
100 g
milligram
mg
20 mg
Measuring volume
Unit
Abbreviation
Example
litre
l
4 l
millilitre
ml
20 ml
cubic metre
m3
4 m3
Other generally useful abbreviations
Unit
Abbreviation
Used to measure
Example
degree Celsius
°C
temperature
30°C
square metre
m2
area
5 m2
minute
min
time
25 min
Refer to:
International System of Units (2006) Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (8th edition), http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/si_brochure_8_en.pdf for other units used in your subject.
Practice
Correct the mistakes in the way the measurements are written.
1) Temperatures may reach 40°c.
2) The wire measured 2mm in diameter.
3) The machine weighs 44 Kg.
4) Measure 2 ls of water.
5) 2 g of solution were added to every m3 of water.