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International System of Units Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: The International System of Units (SI): Definitions, History, and Application

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The International System of Units (SI): Definitions, History, and Application Study Guide

Core Principles and Governance

The International System of Units (SI) is primarily known by its English abbreviation, 'ISU'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source states the international abbreviation is SI, derived from its French name, Système international d'unités.

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The SI system holds official status in only a few select countries, primarily those involved in scientific research.

Answer: False

Explanation: The SI system holds official status in nearly every country, making it a global standard for science, technology, industry, and commerce.

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The International Bureau of Weights and Measures, abbreviated BIPM, is responsible for coordinating the SI system.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) coordinates the SI system, working alongside the CGPM and CIPM.

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An official SI diagram illustrates derived units in the outer ring and base units in the inner ring.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source material describes a diagram where the SI base units are in the outer ring and the SI defining constants are in the inner ring.

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The General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) was established by the Metre Convention of 1875 to define and standardize a new measurement system.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source states that the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) was established by the Metre Convention of 1875 to define and standardize a new measurement system.

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The International System of Quantities (ISQ) defines the physical quantities that are measured using SI units.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source states that the International System of Quantities (ISQ) defines the physical quantities and equations that provide the context for the SI units.

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The SI system is regulated by a single international organization, the BIPM.

Answer: False

Explanation: The SI system is regulated by three international organizations: the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM), the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM), and the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM).

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The 'SI Brochure' is a document published by the ISO that collects all decisions and recommendations concerning SI units.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'SI Brochure' is published by the BIPM (International Bureau of Weights and Measures), not the ISO (International Organization for Standardization).

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What is the international abbreviation for the International System of Units?

Answer: SI

Explanation: The source material identifies the international abbreviation for the Système international d'unités as SI.

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In which sectors is the SI system primarily employed?

Answer: Science, technology, industry, and everyday commerce

Explanation: The source states that the SI system is employed broadly in science, technology, industry, and everyday commerce, with official status in nearly every country.

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Which organization coordinates the SI system?

Answer: The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM)

Explanation: The source identifies the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) as the organization that coordinates the SI system.

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According to the diagram mentioned in the source, what is depicted in the inner ring of the SI system illustration?

Answer: SI defining constants

Explanation: The source describes a diagram where the SI defining constants are depicted in the inner ring, with the base units in the outer ring.

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What does the International System of Quantities (ISQ) define?

Answer: The quantities and equations that provide the context for defining SI units

Explanation: The ISQ defines the physical quantities and the equations relating them, which provides the necessary context for the definitions of the SI units used to measure them.

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Which international body is responsible for publishing the 'SI Brochure'?

Answer: The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM)

Explanation: The source specifies that the 'SI Brochure', which contains all decisions and recommendations on SI units, is published by the BIPM.

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The Defining Constants and Base Units

The SI system consists of nine base units that can be combined to form coherent derived units.

Answer: False

Explanation: The SI system is comprised of seven, not nine, base units.

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The kilogram (kg) is the SI base unit for mass, and the candela (cd) is the SI base unit for luminous intensity.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source lists the kilogram (kg) as the base unit for mass and the candela (cd) as the base unit for luminous intensity among the seven SI base units.

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The International System of Units is fundamentally defined by a set of seven defining constants, each with a specific exact numerical value.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that the SI is defined by a set of seven defining constants, whose numerical values are fixed exactly when expressed in their corresponding SI units.

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The magnitudes of all SI units are defined by declaring that the seven defining constants have approximate numerical values.

Answer: False

Explanation: The magnitudes of all SI units are defined by declaring that the seven defining constants have specific *exact* numerical values, not approximate ones.

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The second is defined based on the radiation corresponding to the transition between hyperfine levels of the caesium-133 atom.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source defines the second as the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.

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The metre is defined as the distance travelled by sound in vacuum in a specific fraction of a second.

Answer: False

Explanation: The metre is defined as the distance travelled by *light* in vacuum, not sound.

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The kilogram is defined by setting the Planck constant to a specific value, given the definitions of the metre and the second.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source states that the kilogram is defined by fixing the Planck constant (h) to an exact numerical value, in conjunction with the definitions of the metre and second.

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The ampere is defined based on the flow of a specific number of elementary charges per minute.

Answer: False

Explanation: The ampere is defined based on the flow of a specific number of elementary charges per *second*, not per minute.

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The kelvin is defined by setting the fixed numerical value of the Avogadro constant.

Answer: False

Explanation: The kelvin is defined by setting the fixed numerical value of the *Boltzmann* constant, not the Avogadro constant.

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When the mole is used, the elementary entities must be specified, such as atoms or molecules.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source explicitly states that when the mole is used, the elementary entities (e.g., atoms, molecules, ions) must be specified.

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The candela is defined based on a source emitting monochromatic radiation of frequency 5.4 x 10¹² hertz.

Answer: False

Explanation: The candela is defined based on a source emitting monochromatic radiation of frequency 5.4 x 10¹⁴ hertz, not 5.4 x 10¹² hertz.

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How many base units does the SI system comprise?

Answer: Seven

Explanation: The source consistently states that the SI system comprises seven base units.

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Which of the following is the SI base unit for thermodynamic temperature?

Answer: Kelvin (K)

Explanation: The source identifies the kelvin (K) as the SI base unit for thermodynamic temperature.

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Which of the following is NOT one of the seven SI defining constants?

Answer: The gravitational constant (G)

Explanation: The source lists the seven defining constants, which include the speed of light, the Planck constant, and the Avogadro constant, but not the gravitational constant.

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How is the metre defined in the SI system?

Answer: As the distance travelled by light in vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second

Explanation: The definition of the metre is based on fixing the speed of light in vacuum (c) to 299,792,458 m/s, which means a metre is the distance light travels in vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second.

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What is the definition of the ampere (A) in the SI system?

Answer: The flow of 1 / (1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹) times the elementary charge per second

Explanation: The ampere is defined by fixing the elementary charge (e) to 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ C. An ampere is an electric current of 1 coulomb per second, which corresponds to the flow of 1/e elementary charges per second.

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What must be specified when the mole is used as an SI unit?

Answer: The elementary entities being referred to

Explanation: The source explicitly states that when the mole is used, the elementary entities (such as atoms, molecules, or ions) must be specified.

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Derived Units, Prefixes, and Conventions

The SI system offers twenty-four prefixes to create non-coherent SI units that are always decimal multiples or sub-multiples of a coherent unit.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that the SI system provides twenty-four prefixes to form decimal multiples and sub-multiples, creating convenient non-coherent units for various applications.

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A coherent derived unit is an SI unit that can be represented as a product of powers of the base units with a numerical multiplier of one.

Answer: True

Explanation: This is the correct definition of a coherent derived unit as provided in the source material, with metre per second (m/s) given as an example.

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Only ten coherent derived units have been given special names and symbols in the SI system.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source states that twenty-two, not ten, coherent derived units have been given special names and symbols.

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Metric prefixes are used to create units that are decimal multiples or sub-multiples for the same physical quantity.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that metric prefixes systematically create units that are decimal (power-of-ten) multiples or sub-multiples of a coherent unit.

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In a compound unit like g/cm³, the prefix 'c' in 'cm³' applies to the entire cubic metre.

Answer: False

Explanation: In a compound unit, the prefix applies only to the unit it is attached to. Therefore, cm³ is interpreted as (cm)³, or cubic centimetre, not centi-cubic-metre.

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Multiples and sub-multiples of mass are named as if the gram were the base unit, despite the kilogram being the coherent base unit.

Answer: True

Explanation: Due to the historical nature of the kilogram having a prefix in its name, the source confirms that prefixes for mass are attached to 'gram' (e.g., milligram) rather than 'kilogram'.

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According to the SI Brochure, unit names should always start with a capital letter to signify their importance.

Answer: False

Explanation: The SI Brochure specifies that unit names should be treated as common nouns and typically start with a lowercase letter, unless grammar dictates otherwise (e.g., at the start of a sentence).

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US English uses 'metre' and 'litre', while International English uses 'meter' and 'liter'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The spelling is reversed: US English uses 'meter' and 'liter', while International English uses 'metre' and 'litre'.

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Unit name variations like 'watt-peak' are acceptable in the SI system to provide additional context.

Answer: False

Explanation: Such variations are unacceptable because the SI mandates that information about the physical quantity must be presented separately and not mixed with the unit name.

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The 2022 adoption of new metric prefixes extended the range of SI prefixes to cover decimal powers from 10⁻³⁰ to 10³⁰.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that in 2022, new prefixes including 'quetta' (10³⁰) and 'quecto' (10⁻³⁰) were adopted, extending the range of available prefixes.

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Which of the following is an example of a coherent derived unit?

Answer: Metre per second (m/s)

Explanation: The kilogram, second, and candela are base units. The metre per second is a coherent derived unit, formed as a product of powers of base units with a multiplier of one.

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How many coherent derived units have been given special names and symbols in the SI system?

Answer: Twenty-two

Explanation: The source states that twenty-two coherent derived units, such as the hertz, newton, and joule, have been given special names and symbols.

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What is the rule for forming multiples and sub-multiples of mass in the SI system?

Answer: Multiples and sub-multiples are named as if the gram were the base unit

Explanation: Due to the historical anomaly of the base unit 'kilogram' containing a prefix, the rule is that prefixes are attached to 'gram' (e.g., milligram, mg) instead.

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According to the SI Brochure, how should unit names generally be typeset in written text?

Answer: As common nouns, typically starting with a lowercase letter

Explanation: The SI Brochure specifies that unit names are treated as common nouns and should be typeset in the same style as surrounding text, usually starting with a lowercase letter.

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What is the US English spelling for the SI unit of length?

Answer: Meter

Explanation: The source indicates that US English uses the spelling 'meter', while International English uses 'metre'.

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What was the significance of the 2022 adoption of new metric prefixes by the BIPM?

Answer: It extended the range of SI prefixes to cover decimal powers from 10⁻³⁰ to 10³⁰

Explanation: The 2022 adoption of prefixes like 'quetta' (10³⁰) and 'quecto' (10⁻³⁰) extended the available range of decimal powers for forming SI units.

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Historical Development and the 2019 Redefinition

The primary motivation for the SI system was to standardize units across different countries, not to resolve inconsistencies within existing systems.

Answer: False

Explanation: The original motivation was to address the diversity and inconsistencies that had emerged within the centimetre-gram-second (CGS) systems of units.

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The SI system was published in 1960 and was based on the centimetre-gram-second (CGS) system.

Answer: False

Explanation: The SI system, published in 1960, was based on the metre-kilogram-second (MKS) system of units, not the CGS system.

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The CGS system formalized the concept of a 'coherent' system of units where base units combine to define derived units without extra factors.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source credits the CGS (centimetre-gram-second) system with formalizing the concept of a 'coherent' system of units.

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Giovanni Giorgi resolved the difficulty of expressing electrical units by advocating for a fifth base unit.

Answer: False

Explanation: Giovanni Giorgi advocated for a *fourth* base unit for an electrical quantity to be added to the existing three base units of length, mass, and time.

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The MKSA system was approved in 1946 after electric current, with the unit 'ampere', was chosen as the fourth base unit.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that electric current (ampere) was chosen as the fourth base unit, leading to the MKSA (metre-kilogram-second-ampere) system, which was approved in 1946.

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The 10th CGPM in 1954 defined an international system that included five base units.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 10th CGPM in 1954 defined an international system with six base units: metre, kilogram, second, ampere, degree Kelvin, and candela.

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The mole was added as the seventh base unit to the SI system in 1971.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source states that after the SI was formally adopted in 1960, the mole was added as the seventh base unit in 1971.

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The International Prototype of the Kilogram (IPK) was problematic because its mass was observed to be increasing over time.

Answer: False

Explanation: The problem with the IPK was the observed divergence in mass between it and its official copies, indicating an inherent instability, not a consistent increase in its own mass.

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After the 2019 redefinition, the SI is defined by fixing the numerical values of seven defining constants.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that the 2019 redefinition established that the SI is defined by fixing the numerical values of seven fundamental defining constants.

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The distinction between base units and derived units was abolished after the 2019 SI redefinition.

Answer: False

Explanation: The distinction between base and derived units was retained because it is considered useful, historically well-established, and corresponds to the standards for the International System of Quantities (ISQ).

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What was the primary motivation behind the development of the SI system?

Answer: To address the diversity and inconsistencies within the centimetre-gram-second (CGS) systems

Explanation: The source states that the original motivation for the SI was to resolve the diversity and inconsistencies of units that had emerged within the CGS systems.

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When was the SI system formally published?

Answer: 1960

Explanation: The source specifies that the SI system was formally adopted and published by the 11th CGPM in 1960.

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What principle did the CGS (centimetre-gram-second) system formalize?

Answer: The concept of a 'coherent' system of units

Explanation: The source credits the CGS system with formalizing the concept of a 'coherent' system, where derived units are formed from base units without extra numerical factors.

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When was the mole added as the seventh base unit to the SI system?

Answer: 1971

Explanation: The source states that the mole was added as the seventh base unit in 1971, after the initial adoption of the SI in 1960.

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What was the primary issue with the International Prototype of the Kilogram (IPK) that led to the 2019 redefinition of the SI?

Answer: It was the only physical artifact defining a base unit and showed instability compared to its copies

Explanation: The key problem was the observed mass divergence between the IPK and its copies, indicating an instability in the physical artifact that undermined the precision of the entire system.

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What was the fundamental change in how the SI system is defined after the 2019 redefinition?

Answer: It is defined by fixing the numerical values of seven defining constants

Explanation: The 2019 redefinition shifted the SI's foundation from a set of base units (some tied to artifacts) to a system where all units are constructed from seven fundamental constants with fixed numerical values.

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Why is the distinction between base units and derived units still maintained in the SI system after the 2019 redefinition?

Answer: It is considered useful, historically well-established, and corresponds to the ISQ standards

Explanation: Despite all units now being derivable from constants, the base/derived distinction is retained for its utility, historical continuity, and alignment with the International System of Quantities (ISQ).

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Coherent Units for Common Physical Quantities

The coherent SI unit for density is kilogram per cubic metre (kg/m³).

Answer: True

Explanation: The source lists kilogram per cubic metre (kg/m³) as the coherent SI unit for both density and mass concentration.

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The coherent SI unit for energy, work, or amount of heat is the watt (W).

Answer: False

Explanation: The coherent SI unit for energy, work, or amount of heat is the joule (J). The watt (W) is the unit for power.

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What is the coherent SI unit for electric charge?

Answer: Coulomb (C)

Explanation: The source identifies the coulomb (C) as the coherent SI unit for electric charge.

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Which of the following is the coherent SI unit for pressure or stress?

Answer: Pascal (Pa)

Explanation: The source identifies the pascal (Pa) as the coherent SI unit for pressure or stress.

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What is the coherent SI unit for electrical resistance?

Answer: Ohm (Ω)

Explanation: The source identifies the ohm (Ω) as the coherent SI unit for electrical resistance.

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What is the coherent SI unit for magnetic flux density?

Answer: Tesla (T)

Explanation: The source identifies the tesla (T) as the coherent SI unit for magnetic flux density.

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What is the coherent SI unit for Celsius temperature?

Answer: Degree Celsius (°C)

Explanation: The source identifies the degree Celsius (°C) as the coherent SI unit for Celsius temperature, which is directly related to the base unit kelvin.

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What is the coherent SI unit for absorbed dose or kerma?

Answer: Gray (Gy)

Explanation: The source identifies the gray (Gy) as the coherent SI unit for absorbed dose or kerma.

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What is the coherent SI unit for volume?

Answer: Cubic metre (m³)

Explanation: The source identifies the cubic metre (m³) as the coherent SI unit for volume.

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What is the coherent SI unit for current density?

Answer: Ampere per square metre (A/m²)

Explanation: The source identifies the ampere per square metre (A/m²) as the coherent SI unit for current density.

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What is the coherent SI unit for dynamic viscosity?

Answer: Pascal-second (Pa·s)

Explanation: The source identifies the pascal-second (Pa·s) as the coherent SI unit for dynamic viscosity.

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What is the coherent SI unit for thermal conductivity?

Answer: Watt per metre-kelvin (W/(m·K))

Explanation: The source identifies the watt per metre-kelvin (W/(m·K)) as the coherent SI unit for thermal conductivity.

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What is the coherent SI unit for permittivity?

Answer: Farad per metre (F/m)

Explanation: The source identifies the farad per metre (F/m) as the coherent SI unit for permittivity.

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Accepted Non-SI Units and Practical Realisation

The 'realisation' of an SI unit is the practical procedure for determining its value, distinct from its fundamental definition.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source distinguishes between the fundamental 'definition' of a unit (based on a constant) and its 'realisation' (the practical procedure to measure it).

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The BIPM publishes 'mises en pratique' documents that describe the historical origins of SI units.

Answer: False

Explanation: 'Mises en pratique' documents describe the current best practical methods for *realizing* a unit's definition, not its historical origins.

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One hectare is equivalent to 1000 square metres in SI units.

Answer: False

Explanation: One hectare (ha) is equivalent to 10,000 square metres (m²).

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What is the purpose of 'mises en pratique' documents published by the BIPM?

Answer: To describe the current best practical methods for realizing SI unit definitions

Explanation: The source states that 'mises en pratique' (putting into practice) documents describe the current best practical methods for realizing a unit's definition.

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Which of the following non-SI units is accepted for use with the SI system?

Answer: Litre

Explanation: The source lists the litre, along with units like the minute, hour, and tonne, as a non-SI unit accepted for use with the SI due to its widespread use.

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What is the SI equivalent of one day (d)?

Answer: 86,400 seconds

Explanation: One day is defined as 24 hours, and since one hour is 3600 seconds, one day is equivalent to 24 x 3600 = 86,400 seconds.

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How is one degree of angle (°) expressed in radians (rad), the SI derived unit for plane angle?

Answer: (π / 180) radians

Explanation: The source provides the conversion factor for one degree of angle as (π / 180) radians.

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What is the SI equivalent of one tonne (t)?

Answer: 1 megagram (Mg)

Explanation: One tonne (t) is defined as 1000 kilograms (kg). Since 'mega' is the prefix for 10⁶, and a gram is 10⁻³ kg, 1000 kg is equal to 1 megagram (Mg).

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