The kilogram was established in 1879 based on a cylinder of platinum and iridium. It is the fundamental unit of mass and has since determined the accuracy of every measurement of mass or weight worldwide. The problem is that this cylinder changes its mass over time. And since this is the standard, its measurement change cannot be determined.
The international scientific community has developed a plan to change life as we know it. They are redefining the kilogram and will be basing it on a constant of nature. “The kilogram is the only SI unit still defined in terms of a manufactured object” (NIST, 2018).
The kilogram has been defined in terms of combined fundamental constants such as Planck’s constant. Planck’s constant is defined as 6.626069934 x 10−34 kg∙m2/s with an uncertainty of 0.0000013%. The General Conference of Weights and Measures formally adopted the new definition this past November. It will be implemented May 20th 2019 on World Metrology Day.
Though this is ground breaking news making the kilogram a now stable and traceable unit of mass, this won’t affect you much. Rest assured, your equipment will be accurately calibrated to NIST and A2LA standards. If your equipment needs to be re-calibrated, give us a call!
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