Metrology is the science of measurement. It establishes a common understanding of the units that are critical to the measurement of any human activity.
No matter how complex the science of metrology is, the tasks of metrology were defined back in the 18th century. This led to the creation of the decimal metric system in 1795, which set a set of standards for other types of measurement. Several other countries adopted the system between 1795 and 1875.
To create uniform world standards in accordance with the Metric Convention, the International Bureau for Combating Deviations from the System (BIPM) was established. This resulted in the creation of the International System of Units as a result of a resolution passed in 1960. Thus, the main tasks of metrology have become even more global. Now it is one of the sciences on which the fate of mankind almost depends, because it determines the norms adopted throughout the world.
Tasks of metrology, standardization, certification
This science is divided into three main types. The first is the definition of units of measurement (the point of contact with standardization), the second is the implementation of these units in practice. Also, its tasks include a kind of tracking that links the measurements made in practice with reference standards (certification). Specialists in this field are trained to solve metrology/certification tasks that are critical in any application.
Subfields
Subfields are scientific or fundamental metrology, which deals with the establishment of units of measurement, applied, technical or industrial, dealing with their application to production and other processes in society, as well as legislative, which covers regulation and regulations, requirements for means and methods. Metrology/standardization problems are used to educate professionals in each of these areas.
Legislative aspect
Each country has a national measurement system (NMS) in the form of a network of laboratories, calibration centers and accreditation bodies that implement and maintain the metrological infrastructure. NMS influences how measurements are made in a country, as well as their acceptance by the international community, which is of great importance for the whole society, including the economy, energy, environment, he althcare, manufacturing, industry and consumer confidence. Formetrology tasks are used to train beginners in this field, with the solution of which students usually have no problems.
The impact of this science on trade and the economy is one of the most easily observable social consequences of its widespread introduction. To ensure fair trade, there must be a consistent measurement system, which this science provides.
History
Standardization is critical to the validity of measurements. The first recording of a permanent standard was made in 2900 BC. BC, when the royal Egyptian cubit was carved from black granite as a metric standard. The cubit was defined as the length of the pharaoh's forearm plus the width of his arm, and this standard was given to all builders in Egypt. The success of a standardized length for building pyramids is indicated by the lengths of their bases, which differ by no more than 0.05%.
Other civilizations introduced common standards of measure, aligning themselves with Roman and Greek architecture. The collapse of the empire and the ensuing dark ages provoked a loss of knowledge about measures and standardization. Although local systems were common, comparability was difficult as many were incompatible. In 1196, length standards were created in England, and the Magna Carta of 1215 even included a separate section for measuring units of wine and beer.
New time
Modern metrologyoriginates from the French Revolution. The revolutionaries created a single chamber of weights and measures to unify everything that could be measured. To teach this science, special problems in metrology were compiled, with the solution of which even novice scientists at first could have difficulties.
In March 1791, the standard meter was defined. This led to the creation of the decimal metric system in 1795, setting standards for other types of measurements. Several other countries adopted the metric system between 1795 and 1875.
Although the original mission of BIPM was to create international standards for units of measure and bring them into line with national standards, the bureau's scope has expanded due to scientific progress. Now it includes electrical, photometric units and standards for measuring ionizing radiation. The metric system was modernized in 1960 with the creation of the International System of Units as a result of the adoption of a resolution at one of the thematic international conferences.
International level
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) defines metrology as the science of measurement. It establishes a common understanding of units critical to human activity.
Metrology is a vast field, but it can be summarized with three main activities:
- definition of internationally recognized units of measure;
- realization of these units in practice;
- application of tracking chains (association with referencestandards).
These concepts apply to varying degrees to the three main areas of metrology:
- scientific;
- applied, technical or industrial;
- legislative.
In various international bureaus, everything that metrology, standardization and certification are devoted to - tasks and solutions, the invention of new measures, the improvement of old ones. All this is being done by organizations to ensure standardization and certification.
Scientific metrology
Scientific metrology is associated with the creation of units of measurement, the development of new methods, the implementation of standards and the control of their observance in all instances. This also includes the preparation of tasks and solutions for standardization, certification, metrology.
This type of metrology is considered the highest level of development of this science, striving for the highest degree of accuracy. BIPM maintains a database of metrological calibration and measurement capabilities and peer-reviewed institutes around the world. In measurements, BIPM has defined nine areas of metrology, which include acoustics, electricity and magnetism, length, mass and related quantities, photometry and radiometry, ionizing radiation, time and frequency, thermometry and chemistry.
Latest events
Given the increase in the number of metrology tasks, it was decided to supplement metrology and bring it to the international level. Later, a new definition of SI base units was proposed, which was officially approvedNovember 2018 and effective May 2019.
The motivation for changing the base units is to make the whole system derivable from physical constants, which requires removing the kilogram prototype as it is the last artifact on which the unit definitions depend. Scientific metrology plays an important role in this redefinition of units, since their exact definition requires a rigorous definition of physical constants.
Practical and industrial metrology
The applied, technical or industrial field of this science concerns the application of measurements to industrial and other processes and their use in society, ensuring the suitability of instruments, their calibration and quality control. Given the tasks of metrology, industrial and applied metrology is sometimes incorrectly identified with all this multifaceted science due to the fact that of all its areas it is the most noticeable to the layman.
Qualitative measurements are important in industry as they affect the cost and quality of the final product and 10-15% of production costs. While the emphasis in this area of metrology is on the measurements themselves, tracking device calibration is necessary to ensure validity. Recognition of metrological competence in industry can be achieved through mutual recognition agreements, accreditation or peer review. Industrial metrology is important for the economic and industrial development of a country, and its goals in a particular country can indicate its economic status.
Legal Metrology
Taking into account all the above tasks of metrology, legislative metrology plays a very auxiliary role, and here's why. The fact is that it is a legal subtype of this science and concerns activities that follow from the requirements established by law for direct measurement, the establishment of units, instruments and methods for its implementation. Such legal requirements may arise from the need to protect he alth, public safety, the environment, taxation, consumer protection and fair trade.
Thematic organizations dedicated to this type of metrology are being set up around the world to help harmonize regulations across national borders to ensure that legal requirements do not hinder trade.
