Group Work 1

General Physics 1 - Spring 2020

The Previous International Prototype of the Kilogram
(IPK)

Intended Learning Objectives:

 To know how the previous IPK was designed (optimum dimensions)

 To consider significant figures in measurements and calculations.
 To use conversion of units
 To be able to explain the need for measurement standards.
 To be able to recall procedure for minimizing a function.

Suggested Hardware & Software:

Can use Excel, Maple, Mathematica, Geogebra or similar technology

Date:………………………………
Section: ………
Group members names:

 Consider the following measurements of the heights of two solid cylinders made of
Iron. Each of the two cylinders have the exact mass of one kilogram
(Density of Iron= 7.874 g/cm3)
Find the radius and the total Area of each cylinder:

Cylinder A Cylinder B

Height (cm) 0.95 4.10

Radius (cm) …… ……

Area (m2) …… ……

 Which of the two cylinders A or B (if both are placed in the same environment) will
rust quickly? Explain why? and what shall we do in order to reduce the impact of the
environment on the one kg cylinder?

 In your opinion, why is the International Prototype of the Kilogram (IPK) not made of
pure Iron?

 The previous IPK (before May 2019) is actually a solid cylinder made of an alloy of 90
% platinum and 10 % iridium (Density of Platinum = 21.45 g/cm3; Density of Iridium =
22.56 g/cm3)

What’s the density of the IPK in SI units?

2
Date:………………………………
Section: ………
Group members names:

 What would be the optimum diameter, height, and area of the IPK? Show all your
work and derivations in finding these values.

 If the IPK were a sphere, what would be it’s radius and surface area.

Volume of the sphere = ………..…………….. cm3

Radius of the sphere = ……………………..… cm = ……………………………….. in

Area of the sphere = …………………….……. cm2

 Why in your opinion the IPK is not a sphere? Think in practical terms

 As of May 20, 2019, what’s the new standard of the kilogram?