The Meter: Definition and History
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Questions and Answers

What is the meter defined as?

  • The distance traveled by light in vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second (correct)
  • The distance from the equator to the North Pole
  • One ten-millionth of the Earth's circumference
  • The wavelength of light
  • In what year was the meter originally defined?

  • 1960
  • 1889
  • 1791 (correct)
  • 1789
  • How many centimeters are in one meter?

  • 1000
  • 100 (correct)
  • 500
  • 50
  • What is the meter used as a standard unit of length in?

    <p>Many fields, including science, engineering, construction, and everyday applications</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the kilometer equal to?

    <p>1000 meters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the nanometer equal to?

    <p>0.000000001 meters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Definition

    • A meter is a unit of length in the International System of Units (SI)
    • It is defined as the distance traveled by light in vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second

    History

    • The meter was originally defined in 1791 as one ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the North Pole
    • In 1889, the International Prototype Meter was established as the standard meter
    • In 1960, the meter was redefined in terms of the wavelength of light
    • In 1983, the current definition based on the speed of light was adopted

    Conversions

    • 1 meter = 100 centimeters (cm)
    • 1 meter = 1000 millimeters (mm)
    • 1 meter = 3.2808 feet (ft)
    • 1 meter = 39.370 inches (in)

    Uses

    • The meter is used as a standard unit of length in many fields, including:
      • Science and engineering
      • Construction and architecture
      • Everyday applications (e.g. measuring rooms, furniture, etc.)
    • The meter is also used as a base unit for other units of measurement, such as:
      • Kilometer (km) = 1000 meters
      • Micrometer (μm) = 0.000001 meters
      • Nanometer (nm) = 0.000000001 meters

    Definition of Meter

    • Meter is a unit of length in the International System of Units (SI)
    • Defined as the distance traveled by light in vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second

    History of Meter

    • Originally defined in 1791 as one ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the North Pole
    • International Prototype Meter established as the standard meter in 1889
    • Redefined in terms of the wavelength of light in 1960
    • Current definition based on the speed of light adopted in 1983

    Meter Conversions

    • 1 meter equals 100 centimeters (cm)
    • 1 meter equals 1000 millimeters (mm)
    • 1 meter equals 3.2808 feet (ft)
    • 1 meter equals 39.370 inches (in)

    Uses of Meter

    • Standard unit of length in:
      • Science and engineering
      • Construction and architecture
      • Everyday applications
    • Base unit for other units of measurement, including:
      • Kilometer (km) = 1000 meters
      • Micrometer (μm) = 0.000001 meters
      • Nanometer (nm) = 0.000000001 meters

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    Description

    Learn about the definition of the meter as a unit of length, its history, and how it has been redefined over time.

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