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Kilogram Gets a New Definition (bbc.com)
Scientists have changed the way the kilogram is defined. Currently, it is defined by the weight of a platinum-based ingot called "Le Grand K" which is locked away in a safe in Paris. On Friday, researchers meeting in Versailles voted to get rid of it in favour of defining a kilogram in terms of an electric current. From a report: The decision was made at the General Conference on Weights and Measures. But some scientists, such as Perdi Williams at the National Physical Laboratory in the UK, have expressed mixed feelings about the change. "I haven't been on this project for too long but I feel a weird attachment to the kilogram," she said. "I think it is such an exciting thing and this is a really big moment. So I'm a little bit sad about [the change]. But it is an important step forward and so the new system is going to work a lot better. It is also a really exciting time, and I can't wait for it to happen."
Le Grand K has been at the forefront of the international system of measuring weights since 1889. Several close replicas were made and distributed around the globe. But the master kilogram and its copies were seen to change -- ever so slightly -- as they deteriorated. In a world where accurate measurement is now critical in many areas, such as in drug development, nanotechnology and precision engineering -- those responsible for maintaining the international system had no option but to move beyond Le Grand K to a more robust definition.
Le Grand K has been at the forefront of the international system of measuring weights since 1889. Several close replicas were made and distributed around the globe. But the master kilogram and its copies were seen to change -- ever so slightly -- as they deteriorated. In a world where accurate measurement is now critical in many areas, such as in drug development, nanotechnology and precision engineering -- those responsible for maintaining the international system had no option but to move beyond Le Grand K to a more robust definition.
I'm amazed at your constant ability to out-think all of our scientists. Your value is wasted as a Slashdot troll. If only they'd have seen you for your genius we'd have cured cancer by now.
By it's very definition a balance in independent of gravity. The balance will remain the same and that 1Kg *of mass* will work just as well if you try this experiment on Jupiter.
Although if you’re attempting this on Jupiter, you’ll likely be distracted due to asphyxiation and crushing pressure - so work fast.
#DeleteChrome
For those in the field, yes. It is like sex, eciting for me, not so much for her. (At I hope it will be. First talk to a female human.)
Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
No, just strikes me as kinda funny...and also my usual observation that the US doesn't use the metric system for anything in most citizens' real daily lives.
That no one really uses it here.
I know. I was just saying the same thing the other day when I picked up a 2 liter of soda and a bottle of 500mg aspirin at the store. While I was out, my daughter asked me to pick up a new set of headphones with a 3.5mm jack. Since I was at the store I picked up some new LED bulbs to lower my monthly kilowatt usage at home. That reminded me that I needed to order some new 80 and 120mm case fans for my desktop too. I'll probably add 16 more GB of RAM while I'm at it. On the way home some idiot in a 5.0 liter Ford Mustang cut in front of me and got out of his car carrying a baseball bat. Fortunately when he saw my Glock 9mm, he got back in his car and left 2 seconds later. I don't know how he knew I had my wife's 3 carat emerald ring in the car.