Change the definition of the kilogram

It sounds like a joke but, from May 20, one kilogram will not be a kilogram. Better said, from this day, a kilogram of material will no longer weigh the same weight as that recorded in the balance the day before. The same thing will happen with the Kelvin (temperature), the ampere (electricity) and the mol (mbad) And what is due to what?

According to Héctor Laiz, head of metrology and quality at the National Institute of Industrial Technology (INTI), "all units will now be defined according to constants of nature, not artifacts, of properties of materials or theoretical experiments, as it happened until now ". For example, the kilogram has been defined by a physical object (platinum-iridium cylinder), but in a few days it will be based on badigning a value to the Planck constant.

It's about applying the changes in the International system of units which was reached last November at the General Conference of Weights and Measures held in France before the legendary Palace of Versailles.

This change will be recorded in the history booksnot only because of its impact on the advancement of science and technology, but also because it is the first time that four basic units are being modified simultaneously with simultaneous collaborations around the world. Specialists understand this change as "Key in the future" since he'll have special importance for the precise administration of drugs, pharmaceutical industry, climate change measurement, computer and electronics, among many other sectors that work with high levels of accuracy.

For example, with regard to climate change, "… this change in the control parameters will achieve better forecastsbecause more accurate measurements can be made to monitor small temperature changes. The same thing will happen with the pharmaceutical industry, for example, pYou will be able to accurately define the micrograms of any drug or provide doses of a suitable medication for each patient, "they say of the INTI.

"In addition to the scientific aspect, this modification will also represent a challenge for the education because we will now have to teach high school students the new definitions of units of measurement, " added Laiz, the only representative of South America to the International Committee of Weights and Measures -In charge of the revision-.

As for the "day in the day" of the people, it should be noted that what will happen on May 20 will not have any impact in the scales that the doctor uses to weigh a patient or in the butcher's shop when buying roast, it will however have a great impact on the scientific field. The biggest change will likely be felt by the manufacturers of scientific instrumentswho will have to adapt their products to the new measures.

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