January 9th, 2013
pejmanyousefzadeh
Zoom jtotheizzoe: The Not-So-Perfect Kilogram and Why the Metric System Might Be Screwed The official kilogram standard, a precise chunk of platinum and iridium named “Le Grand K”, has been losing weight. Housed at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, this weight standard (or really, a few replicas of it, since it’s best not to handle this one), is used to calculate the basis of other standards like the joule, which happens to be pretty important when it comes to technology. This could mean slight, but significant problems for key standards in a world where technology performance is measured in atoms and femtosomethings. Where is the weight going? The carefully handled replicas could be gaining weight, making Le Grand K seem lighter, or it could actually be losing gas from inside its seemingly sold metal interior. Yep, even metal does that. Scientists around the world are trying to come up with a different way to calculate a kilogram than a hunk of metal, but for now it’s all we’ve got. Talk about a weight problem. (via Mental Floss)

jtotheizzoe:

The Not-So-Perfect Kilogram and Why the Metric System Might Be Screwed

The official kilogram standard, a precise chunk of platinum and iridium named “Le Grand K”, has been losing weight. Housed at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, this weight standard (or really, a few replicas of it, since it’s best not to handle this one), is used to calculate the basis of other standards like the joule, which happens to be pretty important when it comes to technology.

This could mean slight, but significant problems for key standards in a world where technology performance is measured in atoms and femtosomethings. Where is the weight going? The carefully handled replicas could be gaining weight, making Le Grand K seem lighter, or it could actually be losing gas from inside its seemingly sold metal interior. Yep, even metal does that.

Scientists around the world are trying to come up with a different way to calculate a kilogram than a hunk of metal, but for now it’s all we’ve got. Talk about a weight problem.

(via Mental Floss)

Reblogged from It's Okay To Be Smart
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Kilogram Le Grand K Science
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    The Not-So-Perfect Kilogram and Why the Metric System Might Be Screwed “The official kilogram standard, a precise chunk...
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    Well, now. You learn something new every day, don’t you.
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    SI bulimia
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