The redefinition of the kilogram takes effect in two weeks time. To mark the event, Martin Vlietstra, one of our frequent contributors, looks at the “old” and “new” versions of this international standard.
Category: Science
How British metallurgists helped to make the first international kilogram
We reported a few weeks ago on the redefinition of the kilogram. In this article, Martin Vlietstra, one of our regular contributors, outlines Britain’s contribution to the creation of the prototype kilogram upon which the definition had relied since 1889.
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The new £50 note
It was announced today that the new polymer £50 note will celebrate the UK’s achievements in science, and will feature a prominent British scientist. Nominations from the public are invited.
Two kinds of country?
We return after a break with a short article from one of our supporters about a recent film release Continue reading “Two kinds of country?”
Energy units – muddle in the making?
It was decided early in the 1990s that the unit for pricing of domestic gas should change from the therm to the kilowatt hour, which is a metric unit but not SI. We ask if this made ‘metric sense’.
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The Curiosity rover makes a curious discovery
We take a look at a little-reported discovery made by NASA’s rover during its 2000 days on Mars.
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Autumn watched
UKMA has received a message from a viewer of BBC’s ‘Autumn Watch’. This article includes the message and the response.
Planned upgrades to the SI
We kick off 2017 with an article for metric geeks.
Metric Views 