2 ms·
Why did they change the definition from the length of the pendulum to the circumference of the Earth?
by thomasahle 3y ago
Why did they change the definition from the length of the pendulum to the circumference of the Earth?
- Daz1 3y agoCouple reasons 1) why use seconds when you can just measure a segment of a known distance? 2) pendulums swing faster or slower depending on altitude, 3) Problems with accurate measurement of seconds, swing time etc.
- thomasahle 3y agoI guess for (1) I would imagine it was easier for an independent group of scientists to accurately measure a pendulum, than to travel all the way to the north pole in a straight line through Paris. But I guess they were using the stars or something so maybe it's not as hard as I'd imagine. Also (2) and (3) are great points.