Terry Simpson wrote:
>There are no SI units mentioned on that list. I hope that you won't mind me
>pointing out that the litre is not an SI unit.

Although, in the strict sense, you're right, it's a distinction without much of a difference.

As far as BIPM and the periodic CGPMs are concerned it's "a non-SI unit accepted for use with SI."

As far as IEEE/ASTM SI 10 is concerned, it's a "Unit in use with SI."

It's a synonym of an SI unit (cubic decimeter). (To avoid acrimonious acronymious arguments, note that I'm knowingly stretching the meaning of synonym, as it's more correct to say that a liter is defined as one cubic decimeter.)

Even the most hard-line SI advocate is unlikely to start talking about milk, soft drinks, liquor, etc. in cubic decimeters, rather than liters.

Even the most hard-line SI-advocating cook is not going to revert from milliliters to cubic centimeters for liquid measure.

And so on.

With respect to persuading others of the simplicity of the modern metric system (SI), I'm prepared to lie a little about "liter," rather than confusing the issue.

Bill Potts, CMS
Roseville, CA
http://metric1.org [SI Navigator]

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