Abstract
VI. AT the time when the metric system was originated, the French standards of weights were the series known ag the Pile de charlemagne, the unit being the Livre poids de marc of 16 onces, and double the poids de marc. The metric equivalent of the poid de marc was subsequently determined to be 244.753 grammes. The once was divided into 8 gros (or drachms), and the gros into 72 grains. The old French Livre of 9216 French grains was therefore equal to 489.506 grammes, and 7554 English troy grains. The French grain was thus equal to 0.818 English troy grain. In determining the new unit of metric weight, it was necessary to ascertain the actual value in terms of the existing system of the livre and its subdivisions, of the provisional weights used; and from accurately comparing them with the old standards, it was deduced from the ascertained weight of the measured cylinder, that the weight of a cubic decimetre of distilled water at its maximum density, or at 4° C., which was 0.9992072 of the provisional kilogram, was equal to 18827.15 grains of the poids de marc. This, accordingly, was definitively adopted as the true weight of the kilogram,the new unit of metric weight.
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CHISHOLM, H. On the Science of Weighing and Measuring, and the Standards of Weight and Measure * . Nature 8, 489–491 (1873). https://doi.org/10.1038/008489a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/008489a0