Difference between revisions of "Realization"

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There are three general methods of realizing a unit or a scale. The first and most obvious is simply to follow the definition of the unit or scale, for example by measuring the [[distance]] travelled by [[light]] in [[vacuum]] in {{frac|299,792,458}} of a [[second]] to realize the [[metre]]. The second method is to use a physical phenomenon which is accepted to be equivalent to the definition, for example realizing the metre by laser [[interferometry]] with a measured [[frequency]] of light. The third method is to have a physical standard, for example the now-obsolete [[International Prototype Metre]].<ref name="VIM"/>
 
There are three general methods of realizing a unit or a scale. The first and most obvious is simply to follow the definition of the unit or scale, for example by measuring the [[distance]] travelled by [[light]] in [[vacuum]] in {{frac|299,792,458}} of a [[second]] to realize the [[metre]]. The second method is to use a physical phenomenon which is accepted to be equivalent to the definition, for example realizing the metre by laser [[interferometry]] with a measured [[frequency]] of light. The third method is to have a physical standard, for example the now-obsolete [[International Prototype Metre]].<ref name="VIM"/>
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As a realization is a measurement, it is associated with a [[measurement uncertainty]], which is called the '''standard measurement uncertainty'''. The standard measurement uncertainty is a component of the uncertainty in any measurement result which relies on the measurement standard, although it is often (indeed usually) negligeable compared to other components of the uncertainty.<ref name="VIM"/>
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==History==
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==International System of Units==
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 17:49, 29 July 2010

In metrology, the realization (or embodiment) of a measurement unit or a measurement scale is the practical method by which the unit can be measured (or the scale put into practice). The realization of a unit or of a scale creates one or more measurement standards against which an unknown physical quantity of the same kind can be compared.[1]

There are three general methods of realizing a unit or a scale. The first and most obvious is simply to follow the definition of the unit or scale, for example by measuring the distance travelled by light in vacuum in 1299,792,458 of a second to realize the metre. The second method is to use a physical phenomenon which is accepted to be equivalent to the definition, for example realizing the metre by laser interferometry with a measured frequency of light. The third method is to have a physical standard, for example the now-obsolete International Prototype Metre.[1]

As a realization is a measurement, it is associated with a measurement uncertainty, which is called the standard measurement uncertainty. The standard measurement uncertainty is a component of the uncertainty in any measurement result which relies on the measurement standard, although it is often (indeed usually) negligeable compared to other components of the uncertainty.[1]

History

International System of Units

References

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