Dear children of God,
You have heard me several times that I won't negotiate or even consider unboxed final answer, improper least number of significant figures and inconsistent units. You claim that I am too harsh and you feel bad in the process. Sometimes, it is hard for you to fathom why certain rules are implemented inside the classroom as simple as units. Then you ask, "Why should one be consistent in units?" Well, I suggest you read the report in the link below before you continue reading. However, if you don't have much time then you consider the excerpts below from the report:
"The output from the SM_FORCES application code as required by a MSOP
Project Software Interface Specification (SIS) was to be in metric units
of Newton-seconds (N-s). Instead, the data was reported in English
units of pound-seconds (lbf-s)." p . 16
"The Board recommends that the MPL project verify the consistent use of
units throughout the MPL spacecraft design and operation." p.16
-Mars Climate Orbiter
Mishap Investigation Board
Phase I Report
ftp://ftp.hq.nasa.gov/pub/pao/reports/1999/MCO_report.pdf
If you were a taxpayer, how will you react if a project which cost $300 million is simply ruined by this mistake. What if you were manning the spacecraft? How will you explain yourself to your supervisor if you fail this basic skill in science?
Be consistent,
siraris
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