Question

SI unit of time is (1) second (2) minute (3) hour (4) day

Short answer

second

Step-by-step solution

Understand the SI (International System of Units)

SI units are the standard units of measurement defined by the International System of Units.

Identify the Measurement Quantity

The question asks for the SI unit of time.

Review the SI Base Unit for Time

The base unit of time in the SI system is the 'second'.

Confirm Your Answer

Based on the information, the SI unit of time is the second.

Key concepts

International System of Units

The International System of Units, abbreviated as SI from the French 'Système International d'Unités', is the modern form of the metric system. It was established in 1960 and is used worldwide to provide a standard for measuring various quantities. The purpose of the SI system is to ensure consistency and accuracy in measurements across countries.

The SI system includes a set of base units from which other units are derived. It helps in scientific, industrial, and everyday measurements to make sure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to quantifying observations and data. This scientific standardization covers many different areas, such as length, mass, time, electric current, temperature, and more.

SI Base Units

SI base units are the fundamental units of measurement in the International System of Units. They are the building blocks for all other measurements. There are seven base units:

• Length: meter (m)
• Mass: kilogram (kg)
• Time: second (s)
• Electric current: ampere (A)
• Thermodynamic temperature: kelvin (K)
• Amount of substance: mole (mol)
• Luminous intensity: candela (cd)

These base units form the foundation for derived units, which combine these base units according to mathematical relationships. For example, the unit for speed is meters per second (m/s), which is derived from the base units of length and time. Understanding and using these base units correctly is crucial for accurate scientific communication and experimentation.

Measurement Units for Time

In the SI system, the base unit for measuring time is the second, symbolized as 's'. One second is defined based on the vibrations of cesium atoms, ensuring an extremely precise measurement. Other units of time like minutes, hours, and days are not SI units but are often used in this context.

• 1 minute = 60 seconds
• 1 hour = 60 minutes = 3600 seconds
• 1 day = 24 hours = 1440 minutes = 86400 seconds

While these larger units of time are very practical for daily use, scientists and engineers prefer using seconds for higher precision. The clear advantage of using seconds is that it aligns with the SI system, which ensures that time measurements are universally consistent and comparable. So, when working with scientific calculations, always remember that the SI unit of time is the second.