On Wed, 10 Apr 2002 09:33:49 Joseph B. Reid wrote: ... >Appendix 1 of the metric bible states that the CPGM of 1975 redommended a >value for the speed of light. The second is the most accurately defined >unit that we have. It is axiomatic that > c = speed of light = lamda X frequency. >The frequency of a laser can be determined, and by the equation, so can its >wavelength. This gives a standard of length that is more accurate than the >previous metal bars. It could be stated that it as based on the wavelength >of a radiation of a specified frequency, or as the path travelled by light >in a specified time interval. The CPGM decided in favor of the latter form >of the statement. >... Very good, Joe. Thanks. Which goes to show that one CAN define the metre without resorting to the "crutch" of the second after all. Again, it goes to show how much we may still have to do and work in terms of the *conceptual* aspect of defining a system of units.
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