David wrote: >Replacing the Radian as a base unit of the International System >Desirable features of a base unit include: >1. Convenience in use. >2. If not always of a convenient size, it should be easily divided or multiplied into units of convenient size. >3. Should already be widely known. >4. Should constantly have angular dimensions. >(The radian had none of these features) >An angle of one revolution seems a candidate.
The radian is not a base unit; it is an SI derived unit with a special name. SI derived units are defined by multiplying and dividing base units without numerical factors. The whole circle would not fit into this pattern as far as I can see. Clearly, the radian is not very practical for many uses, and so we use other units for those things (personally, I don't mind using the degree, and I don't think we will see a major change away from it anytime soon). Marcus explained this very well: Marcus wrote: >Unfortunately due to the mathematical reality of angles there simply is no chance for the radian "unit" to be "replaced" or discarded. Radians are actually just like a math... "reality", so to speak, just like the "golden rule" is the square root of two, if you know what I mean. Carl Sorenson
