Perfect silicon spheres were developed to redefine the kilogram because the platinum kilogram was changing in weight even in extremely strictly controlled physical conditions. If dust can ruin the platinum kilogram, why are people allowed to touch the silicon version?

Question

How is it that the sphere doesn’t become ‘contaminated’ with extra atoms from skin, clothes or even breath? Or is it just that these contaminants are very easy to clean off afterwards?

In: Physics

Answer 1

Veritasium has great videos on both [the Silicon sphere](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMByI4s-D-Y) and the [new Kilogram definition](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo0jm1PPRuo).