For Scientists, Kilogram Loses Mass Appeal
One-kilogram spherical crystals of silicon, polished by an Australian measurement lab into perfect spheres. An international team of physicists wants to use these spheres to establish a new international standard for the mass of 1 kilogram. Scientists at the Institute for Crystal Growth in Berlin wi...
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Published in | Knight Ridder Tribune Business News p. 1 |
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Main Author | |
Format | Newsletter |
Language | English |
Published |
Washington
Tribune Content Agency LLC
18.11.2002
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | One-kilogram spherical crystals of silicon, polished by an Australian measurement lab into perfect spheres. An international team of physicists wants to use these spheres to establish a new international standard for the mass of 1 kilogram. Scientists at the Institute for Crystal Growth in Berlin will soon make test crystals of silicon-28 to see how the material behaves. The project could have its kilogram replacement as soon as six years from now, Dr. [Paul De Bivre] said. The apparatus works by balancing the force of gravity pulling down on a 1-kilogram mass against an upward-pulling magnetic force. The device can indirectly define the kilogram because all the other units measured such as time, length, voltage and resistance are already precisely defined. |
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