The current trend toward redefining all the units in the international system (SI) in terms of fundamental physical constants is discussed. It is noted that fixing the value of an appropriate physical constant is sufficient for defining a unit. A demonstration is provided of defining the entire SI through a set of exact values of appropriately chosen fundamental constants with no distinction between basic and derived units.
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This article is based on a talk given at the Mendeleev lectures on May 20, 2009, at the Mendeleev All-Russia Research Institute of Metrology (VNIIM, St. Petersburg).
Translated from Izmeritel’naya Tekhnika, No. 3, pp. 7–9, March, 2010.
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Frantsuz, E.T. Fundamental physical constants in the new international system of units (SI). Meas Tech 53, 228–231 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11018-010-9487-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11018-010-9487-9