Kilogram

Revision as of 00:02, 27 September 2021 by Jmdonev (talk | contribs) (1 revision imported)

Dayna, how does this read to you? I had vague thoughts of adding a video, perhaps this one? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_e1wITe_ig - Jason

Jason, I like that video! It's a bit long but I think that's okay. Some of the links on the page didn't work so I found some other articles from the same site. I also changed up the wording so it may need editing. - Dayna


A kilogram is the SI unit of mass and one of the 7 base units. It is the only SI unit with a prefix. The prefix "Kilo" is used for both the name and symbol of kilogram and is equal to 1000 or 103 grams. Originally the gram was going to be the base unit, but due to historical reasons regarding an artifact used to define the kilogram, the kilogram was chosen as the SI base unit for mass. As of 2018, the kilogram (kg) is now defined by taking the fixed numerical value of Planck's constant h to be 6.62607015 × 10−34 kg m2 s−1. This decision was made in order to ensure the long-term stability of the unit of mass.[1] [2]

For a fascinating video on the origin of the kilogram and the impact of the new definition of a kilogram see Veritasium's video below.

Conversions



Video: The kg is dead, long live the kg

Further Reading

References

  1. Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, "Mise en pratique for the definition of the kilogram (2020)," [Online], Available: https://www.bipm.org/en/search?p_p_id=search_portlet&p_p_lifecycle=2&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_resource_id=%2Fdownload%2Fpublication&p_p_cacheability=cacheLevelPage&_search_portlet_dlFileId=41489972&p_p_lifecycle=1&_search_portlet_javax.portlet.action=search&_search_portlet_formDate=1622783457642&_search_portlet_query=kilogram&_search_portlet_source=BIPM
  2. Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, "Appendix 4. Historical notes on the development of the International System of Units and its base units," [Online], Available: https://www.bipm.org/en/publications/si-brochure.