[SI-LIST] Re: R-T-F-M Re: Language conventions
- From: "Muranyi, Arpad" <arpad.muranyi@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2003 16:40:12 -0800
So why is liter an upper case "L" in the USA? As far as I remember
(growing up in Europe) we used lower case "l" there. Is there
a good technical reason for the upper case "L", or is it just
another one of those unexplainable inconsistencies?
Arpad Muranyi
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
-----Original Message-----
From: Feldman, Richard [mailto:rfeldman@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2003 4:31 PM
To: si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [SI-LIST] R-T-F-M Re: Language conventions
Uh, many responders are confusing a rule for unit SYMBOLS
with one for unit NAMES!
Chris Peake and Jim Knighten got it right here,=3D20
and cited appropriate references for use in English.
Just remember to Google for something like "unit symbol rules".
"Unit names, when spelled out, are treated like ordinary English nouns.
Thus [they all] start with a lower-case letter, except at the =
beginning=3D20
of a sentence or in capitalized material such as a title."
[The same goes for multipliers such as milli and mega.]
Unit symbols begin with a capital letter if the associated unit
name is derived from a persons name. s for second, S for siemens,
pA for pascal. Exception: L for liter (in the USA).
There are case conventions in _algebraic_ symbols used to represent
AC and DC variables. e.g. i and I for current, measured in amperes;
v and V (and formerly e and E) for voltage, coincidently measured=3D20
in volts. We have rude metaphors for people who can't tell
units of measurement from terms in formulas.
Respectfully submitted,
Rich Feldman
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