The metre was originally defined as a fraction of the distance from the North Pole to the equator. What problems would this definition of the metre create for people?
Would some problems be the long calculation? I can't really think of other problems.
Yes, one problem with defining the meter as a fraction of the distance from the North Pole to the equator is the complexity and impracticality of calculating it. The distance between the North Pole and the equator is approximately 10,000 kilometers (or 10 million meters). Having to perform such a lengthy calculation every time one needs to measure or work with a meter would be highly inconvenient and time-consuming.
In addition to the challenge of computation, there are several other problems this definition could create:
1. Inconsistency: The distance from the North Pole to the equator could vary slightly due to factors like earth's rotation, tectonic movements, and changes in the Earth's shape. This variation would introduce inconsistency and uncertainty in the standardization of the meter.
2. Geographic Limitations: This definition ties the meter to the geographical locations of the North Pole and the equator. It ignores the fact that people all around the world need to use the meter for various purposes. It would be impractical to limit the scope of the meter to a specific geographic region.
3. Accessibility: Not everyone has easy access to the North Pole or the equator. Thus, verifying the accuracy of measurements or calibrating instruments based on this definition would be difficult for people living far away from these locations.
4. Lack of Precision: The length from the North Pole to the equator is a large distance, and using it as the basis for the meter would result in a relatively imprecise unit of measurement. Precise measurements often require smaller and more manageable units.
To overcome these problems, the definition of the meter was revised to be based on universal physical constants, providing a standard and convenient unit of measurement for everyone.