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What is a Meter?
The meter (symbol: m) is the base 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 seconds. One meter equals 100 centimeters or 1000 millimeters, making it one of the most widely used units of length globally.
History and Origin of the Meter
Originally defined in 1793 as 'one ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the North Pole along a meridian,' the meter has evolved over time. In 1889, the international prototype meter was introduced. The definition was updated in 1960 using the wavelength of krypton-86 radiation, and since 1983, the meter has been officially defined based on the speed of light.
Current Use of the Meter
The meter is widely used in science, engineering, construction, and education across most countries as the standard unit of length. Common applications include measuring distances, heights, and depths. Derived units such as centimeters (cm) and kilometers (km) are frequently used for smaller or larger measurements, including everyday uses like human height measurement and road distance calculation.
- Developed by: International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM)
- Initial Release: 1799
- Useful links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metre https://www.bipm.org/en/measurement-units/
What is a Yard?
The yard (yd) is a unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems of measurement, equal to 0.9144 meters or 3 feet. It is commonly used to measure medium-length distances, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States.
History and Origin of the Yard
The concept of the yard dates back to medieval England, where it was originally defined as the distance from the tip of the nose to the end of the finger. Later standardized to its current length.
Current Use of the Yard
The yard is used in the United Kingdom and the United States to measure medium-length distances, such as football field lengths, track lengths, and in textile and apparel industries.
- Developed by: Various historical standards
- Initial Release: Medieval England
- Useful links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yard_(unit) https://www.nist.gov/