Overview
- Gives a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals and history of units of measurements
- Provides a timely extension of the previous edition with a discussion of the 2019 redefinition of the SI base units
- Features biographical presentations of historical figures behind many units of measurements
- Is a useful reference for students and practitioners alike
Part of the book series: Springer Series in Materials Science (SSMATERIALS, volume 122)
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Table of contents (13 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
This book delivers a comprehensive overview of units of measurement. Beginning with a historical look at metrology in Ancient India, the book explains fundamental concepts in metrology such as basic, derived and dimensionless quantities, and introduces the concept of quantity calculus. It discusses and critically examines various three and four-dimensional systems of units used both presently and in the past, while explaining why only four base units are needed for a system of measurement. It discusses the Metre Convention as well as the creation of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, and gives a detailed look at the evolution of the current SI base units of time, length, mass, electric current, temperature, intensity of illumination and substance.
This updated second edition is extended with timely new chapters discussing past efforts to redefine the SI base units as well as the most recent 2019 redefinitions based entirely on the speed of light and other fundamental physical constants. Additionally, it provides biographical presentations of many of the historical figures behind commonly used units of measurements, such as Newton, Joule and Ohm, With its accessible and comprehensive treatment of the field, together with its unique presentation of the underlying history, this book is well suited to any student and researcher interested in the practical and historical aspects of the field of metrology.Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Dr. S. V. Gupta received master’s degrees in physics and mathematics from Allahabad University and Agra University, India, respectively, and holds a PhD from Delhi University. Dr. Gupta subsequently completed advanced training at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, BIPM, France; International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML), Paris France; National Physical Laboratory, UK; and PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt), Germany. He has been involved in various projects with the National Institute for Standards and Technology, NIST, USA and with the PTB, Germany. Dr. Gupta was recently awarded the title of “Mapiki Ratan” (a Jewel in Metrology). He is a member of the Institute of Physics UK. He is first Asian whose name has been placed in the Honours and awards list of the International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML), Paris, France since 2004. He has worked in the National Physical Laboratory of India for 37 years. He has been UNIDO Expert to various countries. After retirement from the regular service, he has written about 23 books (including editions) on different topics of metrology and legal metrology.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Units of Measurement
Book Subtitle: History, Fundamentals and Redefining the SI Base Units
Authors: S. V. Gupta
Series Title: Springer Series in Materials Science
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43969-9
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-43968-2Published: 24 June 2020
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-43971-2Published: 24 June 2021
eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-43969-9Published: 23 June 2020
Series ISSN: 0933-033X
Series E-ISSN: 2196-2812
Edition Number: 2
Number of Pages: XXIII, 304
Number of Illustrations: 102 b/w illustrations, 20 illustrations in colour
Topics: Measurement Science and Instrumentation, Characterization and Evaluation of Materials, History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics, Engineering, general