Question

Indicate the SI base units or derived units that are appropriate for the following measurements:

1. The length of a marathon race (26 miles 385 yards)
2. The mass of an automobile
3. The volume of a swimming pool
4. The speed of an airplane
5. The density of gold
6. The area of a football field
7. The maximum temperature at the South Pole on April 1, 1913

Short answer

(a) The length of a marathon race is in meters (m).

(b) The mass of an automobile is in kilograms (kg).

(c) The volume of a swimming pool is meter^3.

(d) The speed of an airplane is (m/s).

(e) The density of gold is (kg/m³).

(f) The area of a football field is (m²).

(g) The maximum temperature at the South Pole was in Kelvin (K).

Step-by-step solution

Determine the definition of base units and derived units.

A base unit is defined arbitrarily and not by combinations of other units. In contrast, a derived unit is a SI unit of measurement composed of a combination of the seven base units (Kg, m, s, A, K, mol, cd).

Determine the appropriate SI unit or derived unit

The appropriate SI base unit or derived units are as follows:

The SI base unit for the length of a marathon race is the meter (m).

The SI base unit for the mass of an automobile is the kilogram (kg).

The derived SI unit for the volume of a swimming pool is meter^3.

The SI-derived SI unit for the speed of an airplane is (m/s).

The derived SI unit for the density of gold is (kg/m³).

The derived SI unit for the area of a football field is (m²).

The SI base unit for the maximum temperature at the South Pole was in Kelvin (K).