The International System of Units (SI) has been redefined by representatives from 60 countries, marking a significant milestone in global measurement standards. The revised SI, set to launch on May 20, 2019, will be based entirely on fundamental properties of nature, such as the Planck constant, speed of light, and unchanging frequency of microwave radiation from a cesium atom. This change aims to improve precision and accuracy in measurements, particularly at smaller and larger scales, building on previous revisions like the 1983 definition of the meter based on the speed of light.
The impact on consumers will be minimal, as everyday measurements like those for a turkey at a deli counter will remain unchanged. However, manufacturers of scientific instruments may need to adapt to accommodate the new SI method for determining electric quantities such as the ampere, volt, and ohm. The redefined SI also democratizes precision measurement, making it possible to conduct accurate and precise measurements anywhere in the world, potentially leading to new technological innovations and discoveries.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/si-redefinition/turning-point-humanity-redefining-worlds-measurement-system
Keywords: Planck constant, International System of Units (SI), Speed of light
