The Science of Measurement

Metrology
The Science of Measurement
164 Education Liaison & Outreach

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Lets take a trip back in time
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Prehistoric people
didnt have time to measure
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But over time.
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people started growing food
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and developing permanent settlements
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So, they needed a system of

measurement
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or there would be mayhem!
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History of Measurement
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Egyptian Cubit
Used to build pyramids

Dependent on the pharaoh
Missed calibration was
punishable by death!
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Fast-forward 5000 years to

current measurement systems
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Metric System (SI)

SEVEN BASE UNITS
Mass
(kg)
Kilogram
Length
Meter (m)
Time
Second (s)
Temperature
Kelvin (K)
International
System
of Measurement
Electric Current
Ampere (A)
Amount of Substance Mole (mol)
Luminous Intensity
Candela (cd)
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Metric System (SI)
Simple to use
Bases of ten
All other units derived from primary seven

For example: V = cm3 = 1 mL
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Now, a couple of definitions
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Metrology
the science that deals with measurement
Measure
to determine the dimension, quantity or
capacity of something
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Metrology Concepts
Uncertainty
Value assigned to a measurement result that

characterizes how well it is known/unknown
Measurement
Result
Potential Value
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Metrology Concepts
Traceability
Unbroken chain of comparisons to the SI units, all

having stated uncertainties
NMI
You, the
Consumer
Inaccurate
Measurements
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Metrology Concepts
Calibration
Set of operations that establish the relationship

between values of quantities indicated by a
measuring instrument and a reference standard
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Metrologist
Designs and runs

measurement calibrations &
tests
Analyzes the results
Determines the final accuracy
of the device under test
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Metrologist
Calibration
Engineer
Calibration
Technician
Metrology Careers
Scientific Metrology
Organization and development of measurement
standards and their maintenance (highest level)
NIST Atomic Clock

Accurate to 1 s in 20
million years
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Metrology Careers
Industrial Metrology
Adequate functioning of measurement instruments
used in industry as well as production and testing
processes
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Metrology Careers
Legal Metrology
Measurements that influence economic
transactions, health and safety
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Who Needs
Accurate Measurements?
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Pharmaceutical Industry
Metrology laboratories test

weights and volume standards
for pharmaceutical companies
Products include medicines like

aspirin, antibiotics, vaccines,
insulin, & vitamins
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Defense Industry

standards for many military
and defense companies
These companies make the

guidance systems for the
Patriot missiles and other
things that are top secret
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Space Station, Satellites.

standards for many companies
that provide parts of the space
shuttle
These parts include the metal,

heat shield, electronics, fabrics,
o-rings, optics, and tires
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Retail Measurements
State metrology laboratories

test standards used to test
retail scales and meters
These include gas pumps,

produce scales, milk, bread
and other packaged items,
and price scanning systems
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Who Needs Accurate

Measurements? Everybody!
Weights and Measures

measurements
affect more than $6.6
trillion of the $13.2
trillion
U.S. GDP (1996)
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Interested in Metrology?
Academic Subjects
Physical Science
Physics
Material Properties
Math
Formula
Statistical Analysis
Computer Science
Writing Skills
Automation
Programming
Database Building
Technical Writing
Management
Systems
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Interested in Metrology?
Academic Subjects
Physics
Physical Science
Metrology community
is
Material Properties
facing a shortage of
Formula
qualified, trained
Math
Statistical Analysis
metrology personnel
across the
U.S.
Automation
Computer Science
Programming
Database Building
Technical Writing
Writing Skills
Management
Systems
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For More Information

NCSL International (NCSLI)
www.ncsli.org
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THE WORLD OF
Special Thanks to
FreeFoto.com, www.sxc.hu
SERVING
Developed by
NCSLI Committee 164
Special Thanks to
FreeFoto.com, www.sxc.hu , Microsoft
Office Clipart
Presentation Developed by
NCSLI Committee 164
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Questions, Comments,
Suggestions?
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Metrology

The Science of Measurement

164 Education Liaison & Outreach

Lets take a trip back in time

But over time.

people started growing food

and developing permanent settlements

So, they needed a system of

or there would be mayhem!

Used to build pyramids

Fast-forward 5000 years to

Metric System (SI)

Metric System (SI)

All other units derived from primary seven

Now, a couple of definitions

Value assigned to a measurement result that

Unbroken chain of comparisons to the SI units, all

Set of operations that establish the relationship

Designs and runs

NIST Atomic Clock

Metrology laboratories test

Products include medicines like

Metrology laboratories test

These companies make the

Space Station, Satellites.

Metrology laboratories test

These parts include the metal,

State metrology laboratories

These include gas pumps,

Who Needs Accurate

Weights and Measures

For More Information

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