Ezra asked in USMA 18486:

>I thought the correct terminology was "kelvins" in the plural. Can you tell
>me if that's correct?


Quite right.  The 13th CGPM, 1967-1968, in Resolution 3 decided to change
the name "degree Kelvin" to "kelvin", symbol "K".  I presume that the
reason the CGPM did not decide at the same time to change the name of
"degree Celsius" to "celsius" was that the "degree Celsius" was in common
use around the world, while "kelvin" is used only by scientists and
technologists who are more adaptable than the general public.  The same
reasoning applies to the question of a new name for the kilogram, which is
the only SI base unit with a prefix in its name.

Joseph B.Reid
17 Glebe Road West
Toronto  M5P 1C8             TEL. 416-486-6071

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