Dr. Lurain
Bobby LoBue
Chemistry E Band
1/14/19
Redefining Our Universal Measurement System
In 1875, directly following the French Revolution, the first universally understood measurement system was created. This creation was the metric system. This system was created in order for there to be a universally understood measurement system in order for people of different nationalities and cultures to be able to understand each other’s measurements and units. However, our measurement system needs some revision because it is based off of physical objects (Le Grand K, Meter Bar, etc.), meaning these objects are forever changing as time goes on, thus our units are changing as well. Recently a group of 60 countries decided to come together in order to revise the system. After their gathering, there was a consensus that the metric system will now be based off of scientific constants in nature. This means that our new system will no longer be changing and will stay constant for generations to come. The original goal in 1875 was to create a forever lasting universal measurement system, but as time went on we came to realize that our system was not forever lasting. This revision ultimately better achieves the goals that were originally established in 1875 given this new system’s longevity. For the first time in history there will be a constant and never changing definition for our metric system and its units. This re-definition of the metric system is a turning point for humanity and its measurements. Many of us today do not understand the necessity for precise measurements. Given the increase in technology, engineering, and manufacturing, everything around us requires precise measurements in order to function. As NIST says, “Measurements make the world go round.” Ultimately this new and improved metric system will allow for measurements to be more precise given their fixed numerical definition and more practical use. SI units are now defined by understood fixed values rather than physical objects, thus allowing for more precise measurements. Many believe that the revision will be a turning point for humanity given the endless innovations it offers. Many of the scientific principles in which this new system in based off of have already allowed for many innovations. This means that our new measurement system will most likely lead to incredible technological advancements. Although the precision of our measurements will be redefined, we will most likely not realize the difference in the units. For example we may may not realize the difference between the old kg and the new one. However, although this immediate change in our measurement system may go unnoticed, over time we will begin to see the advancements created given our new precision. This means that although the measurements themselves may not seem different to us, their impacts most certainly will impact our lives. The world is forever advancing technologically, but with the increase in precision in our measurements we may see a huge increase in these advancements. The revision of the metric system will allow for the world’s measurements to become more precise, universal, long lasting, and practical, ultimately leading to a even more innovative, advancing, and adapting world.
Works Cited
Materese, R. (2018, December 06). A Turning Point for Humanity: Redefining the World's
Measurement System. Retrieved from https://www.nist.gov/si-redefinition/turning-point-humanity-redefining-worlds-measurement-system
Bobby LoBue
Chemistry E Band
1/14/19
Redefining Our Universal Measurement System
In 1875, directly following the French Revolution, the first universally understood measurement system was created. This creation was the metric system. This system was created in order for there to be a universally understood measurement system in order for people of different nationalities and cultures to be able to understand each other’s measurements and units. However, our measurement system needs some revision because it is based off of physical objects (Le Grand K, Meter Bar, etc.), meaning these objects are forever changing as time goes on, thus our units are changing as well. Recently a group of 60 countries decided to come together in order to revise the system. After their gathering, there was a consensus that the metric system will now be based off of scientific constants in nature. This means that our new system will no longer be changing and will stay constant for generations to come. The original goal in 1875 was to create a forever lasting universal measurement system, but as time went on we came to realize that our system was not forever lasting. This revision ultimately better achieves the goals that were originally established in 1875 given this new system’s longevity. For the first time in history there will be a constant and never changing definition for our metric system and its units. This re-definition of the metric system is a turning point for humanity and its measurements. Many of us today do not understand the necessity for precise measurements. Given the increase in technology, engineering, and manufacturing, everything around us requires precise measurements in order to function. As NIST says, “Measurements make the world go round.” Ultimately this new and improved metric system will allow for measurements to be more precise given their fixed numerical definition and more practical use. SI units are now defined by understood fixed values rather than physical objects, thus allowing for more precise measurements. Many believe that the revision will be a turning point for humanity given the endless innovations it offers. Many of the scientific principles in which this new system in based off of have already allowed for many innovations. This means that our new measurement system will most likely lead to incredible technological advancements. Although the precision of our measurements will be redefined, we will most likely not realize the difference in the units. For example we may may not realize the difference between the old kg and the new one. However, although this immediate change in our measurement system may go unnoticed, over time we will begin to see the advancements created given our new precision. This means that although the measurements themselves may not seem different to us, their impacts most certainly will impact our lives. The world is forever advancing technologically, but with the increase in precision in our measurements we may see a huge increase in these advancements. The revision of the metric system will allow for the world’s measurements to become more precise, universal, long lasting, and practical, ultimately leading to a even more innovative, advancing, and adapting world.
Works Cited
Materese, R. (2018, December 06). A Turning Point for Humanity: Redefining the World's
Measurement System. Retrieved from https://www.nist.gov/si-redefinition/turning-point-humanity-redefining-worlds-measurement-system
