Interesting Numbers in The Metric System

Here are some interesting numbers in the Metric System (also learn about Metric Measurements and Common Metric Units:


Quantity Approximate Value Notes
Distance from Earth to Sun 150 000 000 km 1.5 x 108 km in Scientific Notation
Varies over the year
Distance from Earth to Moon 385 000 km Changes from 363 000 to 405 000
Circumference of Earth 40 000 km
Height of geostationary satellite 35 800 km
Height of Mount Everest 8849 m



Speed of light (in vacuum) 300 000 000 m/s 3 x 108 m/s in Scientific Notation
More accurately: 299 792 458 m/s
Speed of sound (in air) 340 m/s Varies with temperature and pressure
Speed of Earth around Sun 30 000 m/s 30 km per second



Earth's gravity 9.8 m/s2 Varies by location



Freezing point of water 0°C Varies with pressure
Human body temperature 37°C Varies by person, site and health
Boiling point of water 100°C Varies with pressure



Atmospheric pressure 100 kPa Varies with weather and height



Density of water 1 g/cm3
(= 1 kg per liter)
Varies with temperature and pressure
Density of rock 3 g/cm3 Varies a lot based on type of rock
Density of gold 19.3 g/cm3



Age of the Universe 13.7 billion years
Age of Earth 4.5 billion years