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

Because the sphere themselves were not the new kilogram they just have 1k of mass for measuring purposes, the real definition of the kilogram is calculated with physical constants. so if the spheres are lost or destroyed it doesn’t matter.