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Physics
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Prototype Kilogram and Metre
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The picture on the left shows
Mr Peter Lim at the International Bureau of Weights and Measure
in 1999 at Serves, a town outside Paris. He holds a picture of the
Prototype Kilogram and Metre which are both made up of an alloy
of 2 very inert metals (viz Platinum & Iridium). A close up
picture is the two very important scientific treasures to the physicists
worldwide is shown below. They are so important that the fence surrounding
the Bureau is electrified at night to prevent intruders from stealing
these treasures. Of course in Paris, the other important treasure
is the original picture of the Mona Lisa. |
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The Prototype Kilogram
is kept at 0oC in a vacuum in a double dessicator.
It is a cylinder of about 3.5cm in diameter and 3.5cm in height
and it has a mass of kilogram. The bar is made up of platinum
and iridium. It is the Prototype Metre, on which two
very fine lines are drawn to define a length of 1 m. All
masses and measuring tapes and rulers are calibrated to these
two standards. In Singapore, there is a duplicate of the prototype
kilogram and apparently it costs about S$30,000 to have one made
from Paris.
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