The Kilogram and Measurements of Mass and Force

Published

January 1, 2001

Author(s)

Zeina J. Kubarych, Simone L. Yaniv

Abstract

This paper describes the facilities, measurement capabilities, and ongoing research activities in the areas of Mass and Force at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The first section of the paper is devoted to mass metrology and starts with a brief historical perspective on the developments that led to the current definition of the kilogram. An overview of mass measurement procedures is given with a brief discussion of current research on alternative materials for mass standards and surface profiles of the US national prototype kilograms. A brief outlook into the future possible redefinition of the unit of mass based on fundamental principles is included. The second part of this paper focuses on the unit of force and describes the realization of the unit, measurment procedures, uncertainty in the realized force, facilities, and current efforts aimed at the realization of small forces.

Citation

Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology

Volume

106 No. 1

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

force, kilogram, mass, uncertainty

Citation

Kubarych, Z. and Yaniv, S. (2001), The Kilogram and Measurements of Mass and Force, Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=821882 (Accessed April 24, 2024)