Google unit conversions - what is the problem?
Google calculator - it rocks so much that I don't
have a calculator. It also does a fairly good job at
unit conversions, but there are some problems.
First the good. Just in terms of unit conversions, I
was really surprised at what it could do. Try the
following conversions (to use google calculator,
simply type in the search box)
Convert 20 furlongs per fortnight into meters per second (to show it is real, here is a screen shot):
This conversion is correct (I can't remember exactly what a furlong is, but wikipedia does - the source of ultimate truthiness)
Google does some other great conversions:
a slug is the English unit for
mass. This is a great example because I didn't
have to even look up the mass of the sun.
One more (to show the power of google)
What? Does this even make sense?
Sure, let me do this one:
The number is slightly different
due to rounding.
Can google do no wrong? Well, its not really a mistake, but I am picky:
This can't really be correct
(although many people do this). Pounds is the
English unit for force and kilograms is the
metric unit for mass. Really not the same thing.
If this is ok, how come google does not do the
reverse? If you type 3 Newtons in
slugs, it does no conversion but rather a
search for slugs. Slugs are the English unit for
mass and Newton is the metric unit for force.
Yes, I know, I am just being picky. Its what I do. My wife hates it.
If you are interested in unit conversions - here is the scoop on that.
UPDATE: I was wrong. Google is in the clear because it says "pound-force". It takes the definition of pound as a unit of mass and pound-force as a unit of force. I don't like it, but it will pass for me.
Convert 20 furlongs per fortnight into meters per second (to show it is real, here is a screen shot):
This conversion is correct (I can't remember exactly what a furlong is, but wikipedia does - the source of ultimate truthiness)
Google does some other great conversions:
a slug is the English unit for
mass. This is a great example because I didn't
have to even look up the mass of the sun.
One more (to show the power of google)
What? Does this even make sense?
Sure, let me do this one:
The number is slightly different
due to rounding.
Can google do no wrong? Well, its not really a mistake, but I am picky:
This can't really be correct
(although many people do this). Pounds is the
English unit for force and kilograms is the
metric unit for mass. Really not the same thing.
If this is ok, how come google does not do the
reverse? If you type 3 Newtons in
slugs, it does no conversion but rather a
search for slugs. Slugs are the English unit for
mass and Newton is the metric unit for force.
Yes, I know, I am just being picky. Its what I do. My wife hates it.
If you are interested in unit conversions - here is the scoop on that.
UPDATE: I was wrong. Google is in the clear because it says "pound-force". It takes the definition of pound as a unit of mass and pound-force as a unit of force. I don't like it, but it will pass for me.
