Danny Colyer wrote:
> I bet you suffered when you got to university and were told you had to
> start using calories, rather than the joules that you were taught to use
> at school but that don't really have any meaning in biological systems.
> I know I did, never having used calories in my life before then.
Intriguingly we never made measurements of energy during any part of my
degree. Well, we might have done but I certainly don't remember.
I wouldn't have thought that either unit has any "meaning" in biological
systems since they are both human constructs.
> SI units aren't always the best for any given purpose. Would you
> measure enzyme activity in katals? I was told about them, then advised
> not to use them.
Besides biologists are the worst people for using "real" scientific
terminology. After an A-level Chemistry of discussing propantriol
(propan 1-2-3, triol IIRC) I was faced with discussions of glycerol. I
know it's shorter, but it's bloody irritating to have two years of being
forced to use the correct naming conventions, only to have them thrown
out of the window.
> I find that shocking. It's 14, btw.
Why? (Do you find it shocking, I appreciate why it's 14!) I've never
really had cause to learn it (And every time I do, I promptly forget
because I never use it). I understand kg. I have a feeling for kg. I
have no concept of stone except with regard to human weight.
In fact... why is it 14?
Jon