In USMA 15261 Gene Mechtly wrote:... > >> > A submultiple is just that, a "submultiple", but *not* a "unit" >> > in its own right in SI, by the current BIPM Brochure. > >The BIPM Brochure declares: "It is important to emphasize that >each physical quantity has only one SI unit,..." ... and > >"The multiples and submultiples of the SI units formed by using the >SI units combined with SI prefixes are designated by their complete >name, [ital.] decimal multiples and submultiples of SI units." >(1998 Edition, Page 92) > >Bill Hooper counters: > >> I can't agree and I base my disagreement on the message ... >> from Ian Mills of the CCU... > >> I don't know if this decision by the CCU has received or needs approval >> by CGPM or others, but even if not, the first part of Mills's message >> clearly indicates that the submultiples (and multiples) may be called >> "units". > >Mechtly answers: > >The ascending authority for SI is CCU, CIPM, CGPM; followed by >promulgation by the BIPM. > >Until a new edition of the BIPM Brochure abrogates or modifies the above >declarative statements in the 1998 Edition of the Brochure, I plan to >teach the terminology and distinctions as declared in the 1998 Edition. > >Gene. Gene's interpretation is also supported by NIST Special Publication 811, section 4.4, and by (Canadian) Metric Practice Guide, section 4.4. Joseph B. Reid 17 Glebe Road West Toronto M5P 1C8 Tel. 416 486-6071
