Mass Confusion: The End of the Kilogram as We Know It

摘要

Every day, scientists and engineers use measurements in design and research, but most of us give little thought to the basic definitions of our measurement system, and fewer still know that in the next year those definitions are in for some major changes. Take the volt, for example. Readers of this magazine ought to know the definition of the volt, but I'll bet that most don't. I graduated with three engineering degrees and at the time, I could not have told you the definition of the volt. Last year, at my 50th college reunion, I gave a seminar in the EE Department on electrical metrology. Most of the EE professors and many students were present. I asked, "Who knows the definition of the volt?" ... Silence.