Measurement in the Early Modern Period

Abstract

The International System of Units (SI) was created half a century ago as the idealisation of the Metric System of 1795, and as the means of constructing a coherent system of quantities and units for use by all scientists and the wider community. This volume will outline the history of the SI, and how with only seven base units or quantities, one may construct a language capable of fully describing every phenomenon in Nature. Weights and measures are fundamental to all of us, forming an essential part of our ingrained view of the world - whether we realise it, or not. It is just about impossible to function effectively in the modern world without some internalized system of measurement, which enables one to estimate or judge size, volume, weight, duration, distance and value. We will see how man's ability to quantify and understand the world around him developed into a language of authority powerful enough to allow us to; for example, make predictions about future events, to construct reliable and advanced technologies, and to extend human life. This volume will also look at the coming redefinitions of several of the base units of the SI; a redefinition that will likely take place in Paris in October, 2018, and we will see how these new definitions will significantly change the way we look at Nature in a quantitative manner. The redefinitions will require a considerable effort in science communication, as quantities that were previously constants of Nature will now become observable quantities and vice versa.