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Experts Suggest Replacing Definition of Kilogram

Posted by Zonk on from the still-won't-be-used-in-the-states dept.

fenimor writes "The kilogram is the only one of the seven basic units of the international measurement system defined by a physical artifact rather than a natural phenomenon. International team of scientists suggest replacing the kilogram artifact -- a cylinder of platinum-iridium alloy about the size of a plum --with a definition based on one of two unchanging natural phenomena, either a quantity of light or the mass of a fixed number of atoms. They propose to adopt either one of two definitions for the kilogram by selecting a specific value for either the Planck constant or the Avogadro number."

41 of 844 comments (clear)

  1. I suggest by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    They set it to 1000 grams.

    1. Re:I suggest by brianosaurus · · Score: 2, Funny

      Makes sense. With a redefined kilogram, Avogadro is really out of a job, since his number will become useless.

      Do you think the new constant will retain the name, or will it be "The New Scientist Constant Relating Atoms to Grams brought to you by BASF, the Chemical Company"?

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    2. Re:I suggest by hawk · · Score: 4, Funny

      Either way, as long as we do it quickly, before it's too late.

      After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

      hawk

    3. Re:I suggest by Esion+Modnar · · Score: 2, Funny

      Better yet, make it 1024 grams. Make it consistent with the kilobyte.

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    4. Re:I suggest by lgw · · Score: 4, Funny

      The furlong-firkin-fortnight system is the one true system. All other systems are silly.

      Any fool can see what faction of an acre is a rectangle bounded by a furlong and a chain, or measure speed intuitively in millifurlongs per microfortnigt. This metric system is just unintuitive.

      I know just how many furlngs per firkin my car gets, what the heck is that in litres per meter?

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    5. Re:I suggest by trime · · Score: 2, Funny

      0.1111 (ad infinitum) * 9 does in fact equal 1. Simply, it's the decimal representation of 1/9. What is (1/9) * 9 if it isn't 1?

      Engineers. :-)

    6. Re:I suggest by Madcapjack · · Score: 5, Funny
      After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

      I'm sorry, I don't understand. Could you rephrase that in terms of Avagrado's number, please?

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    7. Re:I suggest by kamapuaa · · Score: 4, Funny
      We order a glass of beer, obviously. And depending on beer brand it is served in a typical size. The sizes are: 0.2l for Kölsch and Alt. noble.

      You buy beer by the .2L??? Germany is a nation of girly-men!

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    8. Re:I suggest by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      2.24 pounds?

    9. Re:I suggest by ghjm · · Score: 2, Funny

      Okay, then I'll meet you there in 2.7 x 10^3 seconds.

      -Graham

    10. Re:I suggest by abb3w · · Score: 2, Funny
      What am I getting if I ask for 80 grams of salami?

      Lunch?

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  2. I wonder... by elid · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...if the change it, what would happen if they would auction off the cylinder on eBay?

    1. Re:I wonder... by grazzy · · Score: 4, Funny

      Educated guess: It'd be the most expensive thing the size of a "plum" made of platinum-iridium ever sold on eBay.

    2. Re:I wonder... by Anonymous+Cowpat · · Score: 5, Funny

      more importantly, what would they list it's shipping weight as?

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    3. Re:I wonder... by einhverfr · · Score: 2, Funny

      more importantly, what would they list it's shipping weight as?

      That's easy....

      Formerly 1Kg.....

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    4. Re:I wonder... by StarManta.Mini · · Score: 4, Funny

      2.2 pounds, of course. :)

    5. Re:I wonder... by iCEBaLM · · Score: 5, Funny

      The weight formerly known as kilogram.

    6. Re:I wonder... by Cska+Sofia · · Score: 2, Funny

      "Puny humans! Guess the weight of this bag of apples to the nearest nanogram or I will destroy your world, a-ha-ha-ha!"

  3. does this mean by zerkon · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm going to finally lose some weight?

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  4. Just wait. by jwcorder · · Score: 5, Funny

    The next thing you know they will be trying to get the US to switch from imperial units to the metric system....

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    1. Re:Just wait. by bobscealy · · Score: 5, Funny

      I have always found it intriguing that the US both celebrates the day of its independance from the British empire and continues to use old British units of measurement.

    2. Re:Just wait. by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · · Score: 2, Funny
      Why bother throwing out something like a system of measures? That would just be childish.

      We've been trying to tell you young upstarts the same thing ever since you forgot how to use the letter "u". :-)

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  5. that does it by WormholeFiend · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm going back to pounds and stones.

  6. And in other news... by rollingrock · · Score: 5, Funny

    Pi is exactly equal to 3!

    1. Re:And in other news... by Gabrill · · Score: 3, Funny

      No, only moderately large values of 3.

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    2. Re:And in other news... by Talez · · Score: 3, Funny

      <Frink> PI IS EXACTLY 3!
      *Gasp from scientific community and silence*
      <Frink> Sorry it had to come to that people.

    3. Re:And in other news... by sql*kitten · · Score: 2, Funny

      Pi is exactly equal to 3!

      My brother is a scientist. I had just gotten a new phone, so he didn't have the number, and I texted him to say "Pi is exactly 3". He send back several long messages explaining why this wasn't true, as far as he knew to a complete stranger. So either scientists are incredibly helpful people or they have way too much time on their hands...

  7. Oh No... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Please, don't tell us that it'll become 1024 grams!

  8. Obligatory Simpsons Metric Quote by shiafu · · Score: 5, Funny


    Lisa: Principal Skinner, how's your transportation project coming?

    Skinner: Not only are the trains now running on time, they're running on metric time! Remember this time people, 80 past 2 on April 47th. It's the dawn of a new enlightenment!

    1. Re:Obligatory Simpsons Metric Quote by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      "The metric system is the tool of the devil! My car gets forty rods to the hogshead and that's the way I likes it."

      -- Abe Simpson

  9. Re:Redundant definition? by WormholeFiend · · Score: 1, Funny

    although I suppose that definition gets a trifle fuzzy when we start talking about measurements like picograms

    Picograms are important when you mesure LSD doses.

  10. Bah by jlechem · · Score: 2, Funny

    "My car gets forty rods to the hogshead, and that's the way I likes it!"

    A little offtopic but still revelant ;-)

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  11. Finally... by Jon+Abbott · · Score: 2, Funny

    I can rest at night, not thinking about plum-sized cylinders of platinum-iridium alloy.

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  12. Meh ... how 'bout by hot_Karls_bad_cavern · · Score: 2, Funny

    Meh, how about changing the size of a pint!? Huh? Yeah, who's with me on this one? i could certainly go for pints being larger ... 'specially around lunch time :)

  13. Messing up the drug cartel... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 2, Funny

    This is going to have serious implications for the drug cartel. If the drug lords can't agree on what a kilo means for powder, and someone feels shorted, things are going to get really ulgy really fast. The world-wide economy will collapse for the want of a redefined measurement.

    Or, in other words, some people just don't know how to leave something good alone.

  14. Re:Redundant definition? by dont_think_twice · · Score: 4, Funny

    As far as what the NIST says, that is baloney

    I had been wondering if NIST was just pulling these so-called standards from their ass. I am glad you confirmed it. From now on, a kilo is the amount of coke a mexican hooker can snort in one week. Or course, that is under STP.

  15. Re:Mmm... 4? by Exatron · · Score: 2, Funny
    That said, my favorite rational flavor of Pi is 355/113.

    My favorite is apple.

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  16. By the way by iced_773 · · Score: 5, Funny

    How many Avogadroes are in guaca-mole?

    I guess 6.02x10^23...

  17. French by coopseruantalon · · Score: 2, Funny

    Because the alternative is to use something the french came up with...

  18. Re:Redundant definition? by Alsee · · Score: 3, Funny

    Or course, that is under STP

    Won't work, your refference subject is going to be far higher than sea level.

    -

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  19. A quantity of LIGHT??? by Caspian · · Score: 2, Funny

    How many photons does it take to mass one kilogram? I'd imagine roughly a metric fuckton.

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