MKS system of units

MKS system of units is a physical system of measurement that uses the metre, kilogram, and second as base units of length, mass, and time respectively. This system is a subset of the International System of Units (SI), which is the modern form of the metric system. The MKS system was developed to simplify and standardize scientific and engineering measurements worldwide.

History

The MKS system of units originated in the 19th century when scientists and engineers began to seek a simple, coherent, and international system of units. The CGS system of units (centimetre-gram-second) was prevalent at the time, but the need for a system based on more practical units for engineering and everyday use became apparent. The MKS system was officially adopted at the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) in 1948, paving the way for the development of the International System of Units (SI) in 1960, which expanded upon the MKS system by adding additional base units.

Base Units

The MKS system is based on three fundamental units:

• Metre (m) for length
• Kilogram (kg) for mass
• Second (s) for time

These units are defined by physical constants to ensure their universality and stability. The metre is currently defined by the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second. The kilogram is defined by the Planck constant, \(h\), which is exactly 6.62607015×10^−34 kg⋅m^2⋅s^−1. The second is defined by the transition frequency of caesium-133 atoms.

Advantages

The adoption of the MKS system brought several advantages:

• Simplicity and Coherence: The use of the metre, kilogram, and second as base units made the system straightforward to understand and apply across various scientific and engineering disciplines.
• Standardization: The MKS system facilitated international collaboration and communication in science and technology by providing a common set of measurement units.
• Foundation for SI: The MKS system served as the foundation for the International System of Units, which further expanded and refined the concept of a universal system of measurement.

Impact on Science and Engineering

The MKS system of units has had a profound impact on science and engineering by providing a standardized framework for measurement. This has enabled precise scientific experiments, accurate engineering calculations, and the global exchange of technical information. The system's adoption has also influenced education, industry, and commerce by making measurements more accessible and understandable to professionals and the general public alike.

See Also

• International System of Units
• CGS system of units
• General Conference on Weights and Measures
• Physical constant