Experts Suggest Replacing Definition of Kilogram

Experts Suggest Replacing Definition of Kilogram 844

Posted by Zonk on Saturday February 26, 2005 @07:52PM 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."

Experts Suggest Replacing Definition of Kilogram

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I suggest (Score:5, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @07:53PM (#11790192)

They set it to 1000 grams.

I wonder... (Score:4, Funny)

by elid ( 672471 ) writes: <.moc.liamg. .ta. .dopi.ile.> on Saturday February 26, 2005 @07:54PM (#11790202)

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

does this mean (Score:5, Funny)

by zerkon ( 838861 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @07:55PM (#11790205)

I'm going to finally lose some weight?

Just wait. (Score:5, Funny)

by jwcorder ( 776512 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @07:56PM (#11790215)

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

that does it (Score:5, Funny)

by WormholeFiend ( 674934 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @07:57PM (#11790222)

I'm going back to pounds and stones.

Re:I wonder... (Score:5, Funny)

by grazzy ( 56382 ) writes: <(ten.ews.ekauq) (ta) (yzzarg)> on Saturday February 26, 2005 @07:57PM (#11790227) Homepage Journal

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

Re:I wonder... (Score:5, Funny)

by Anonymous Cowpat ( 788193 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @07:58PM (#11790233) Journal

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

And in other news... (Score:5, Funny)

by rollingrock ( 653505 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @07:58PM (#11790235)

Pi is exactly equal to 3!

Oh No... (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @07:59PM (#11790245)

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

Obligatory Simpsons Metric Quote (Score:5, Funny)

by shiafu ( 220820 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @08:03PM (#11790298)

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!

Re:Redundant definition? (Score:2, Funny)

by WormholeFiend ( 674934 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @08:04PM (#11790311)

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.

Bah (Score:3, Funny)

by jlechem ( 613317 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @08:05PM (#11790317) Homepage Journal

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

A little offtopic but still revelant ;-)

Finally... (Score:3, Funny)

by Equuleus42 ( 723 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @08:07PM (#11790334) Homepage

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

Meh ... how 'bout (Score:3, Funny)

by hot_Karls_bad_cavern ( 759797 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @08:18PM (#11790420) Journal

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 :)

Re:I wonder... (Score:3, Funny)

by einhverfr ( 238914 ) writes: <chris...travers@@@gmail...com> on Saturday February 26, 2005 @08:21PM (#11790452) Homepage Journal

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

That's easy....

Formerly 1Kg.....

Re:Obligatory Simpsons Metric Quote (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @08:25PM (#11790490)

"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

Messing up the drug cartel... (Score:2, Funny)

by __aaclcg7560 ( 824291 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @08:29PM (#11790518)

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.

Re:Just wait. (Score:5, Funny)

by bobscealy ( 830639 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @08:29PM (#11790519)

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.

Re:I wonder... (Score:4, Funny)

by StarManta.Mini ( 860897 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @09:00PM (#11790792)

2.2 pounds, of course. :)

Re:I wonder... (Score:5, Funny)

by iCEBaLM ( 34905 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @09:07PM (#11790844)

The weight formerly known as kilogram.

Re:And in other news... (Score:4, Funny)

by Gabrill ( 556503 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @09:15PM (#11790925)

No, only moderately large values of 3.

Re:Redundant definition? (Score:5, Funny)

by dont_think_twice ( 731805 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @09:26PM (#11791025) Homepage

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.

Re:I suggest (Score:3, Funny)

by brianosaurus ( 48471 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @09:46PM (#11791170) Homepage

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"?

Re:And in other news... (Score:4, Funny)

by Talez ( 468021 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @09:48PM (#11791192)

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

Re:I suggest (Score:5, Funny)

by hawk ( 1151 ) writes: <hawk@eyry.org> on Saturday February 26, 2005 @10:33PM (#11791494) Journal

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

Re:Just wait. (Score:3, Funny)

by Anonymous Brave Guy ( 457657 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @10:34PM (#11791497)

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". :-)

Re:Mmm... 4? (Score:3, Funny)

by Exatron ( 124633 ) writes: <(moc.liamtoh) (ta) (nortaxE)> on Saturday February 26, 2005 @10:36PM (#11791513) Homepage

That said, my favorite rational flavor of Pi is 355/113.
My favorite is apple.

By the way (Score:5, Funny)

by iced_773 ( 857608 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @10:58PM (#11791651)

How many Avogadroes are in guaca-mole?

I guess 6.02x10^23...

Re:I suggest (Score:3, Funny)

by Esion Modnar ( 632431 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @10:58PM (#11791652)

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

Re:I suggest (Score:4, Funny)

by lgw ( 121541 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @11:36PM (#11791865) Journal

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?

French (Score:2, Funny)

by coopseruantalon ( 835573 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @11:55PM (#11791972)

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

Re:Redundant definition? (Score:4, Funny)

by Alsee ( 515537 ) writes: on Saturday February 26, 2005 @11:58PM (#11791993) Homepage

Or course, that is under STP

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

-

Re:I suggest (Score:2, Funny)

by trime ( 733350 ) writes: on Sunday February 27, 2005 @12:49AM (#11792215)

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. :-)

Re:I suggest (Score:5, Funny)

by Madcapjack ( 635982 ) writes: on Sunday February 27, 2005 @03:11AM (#11792778)

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?

Comment removed (Score:2, Funny)

by account_deleted ( 4530225 ) writes: on Sunday February 27, 2005 @03:43AM (#11792861)

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:I suggest (Score:5, Funny)

by kamapuaa ( 555446 ) writes: on Sunday February 27, 2005 @05:43AM (#11793087) Homepage

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!

Re:And in other news... (Score:2, Funny)

by sql*kitten ( 1359 ) * writes: on Sunday February 27, 2005 @06:18AM (#11793171)

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...

Re:I wonder... (Score:2, Funny)

by Cska Sofia ( 705257 ) writes: on Sunday February 27, 2005 @06:45AM (#11793224)

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

Re:I suggest (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Sunday February 27, 2005 @12:25PM (#11794252)

2.24 pounds?

Re:I suggest (Score:3, Funny)

by ghjm ( 8918 ) writes: on Sunday February 27, 2005 @12:46PM (#11794387) Homepage

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

-Graham

Re:I suggest (Score:3, Funny)

by abb3w ( 696381 ) writes: on Monday February 28, 2005 @03:12PM (#11805268) Journal

What am I getting if I ask for 80 grams of salami?
Lunch?

There may be more comments in this discussion. Without JavaScript enabled, you might want to turn on Classic Discussion System in your preferences instead.

I suggest (Score:5, Funny)

I wonder... (Score:4, Funny)

does this mean (Score:5, Funny)

Just wait. (Score:5, Funny)

that does it (Score:5, Funny)

Re:I wonder... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:I wonder... (Score:5, Funny)

And in other news... (Score:5, Funny)

Oh No... (Score:1, Funny)

Obligatory Simpsons Metric Quote (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Redundant definition? (Score:2, Funny)

Bah (Score:3, Funny)

Finally... (Score:3, Funny)

Meh ... how 'bout (Score:3, Funny)

Re:I wonder... (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Obligatory Simpsons Metric Quote (Score:1, Funny)

Messing up the drug cartel... (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Just wait. (Score:5, Funny)

Re:I wonder... (Score:4, Funny)

Re:I wonder... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:And in other news... (Score:4, Funny)

Re:Redundant definition? (Score:5, Funny)

Re:I suggest (Score:3, Funny)

Re:And in other news... (Score:4, Funny)

Re:I suggest (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Just wait. (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Mmm... 4? (Score:3, Funny)

By the way (Score:5, Funny)

Re:I suggest (Score:3, Funny)

Re:I suggest (Score:4, Funny)

French (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Redundant definition? (Score:4, Funny)

Re:I suggest (Score:2, Funny)

Re:I suggest (Score:5, Funny)

Comment removed (Score:2, Funny)

Re:I suggest (Score:5, Funny)

Re:And in other news... (Score:2, Funny)

Re:I wonder... (Score:2, Funny)

Re:I suggest (Score:1, Funny)

Re:I suggest (Score:3, Funny)

Re:I suggest (Score:3, Funny)

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