3 ms·
Couldn't we just redefine the second by a tiny amount so it fits the day?
by pantalaimon 13y ago
Couldn't we just redefine the second by a tiny amount so it fits the day?
- modeless 13y agoUnfortunately the day fluctuates, and is actually lengthening over time: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluctuations_in_the_length_of_day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluctuations_in_the_length_of_d... We need at least one unit of time which is fixed and unchanging in order to do scientific calculations, and we have chosen the second to be that unit.
- breadbox 13y agoSo, instead of adding or subtracting leap seconds, we adjust the speed of light (and every other physical constant that includes a time unit)? Also, which day would become the new standard: the solar day or the siderial day?
- CamperBob2 13y agoThat would be a really terrible approach. Time is the ultimate basis for practically every other quantity we know how to measure. The SI second definition is literally the last thing you'd want to mess with.