Constants, Weights and Measures
This guide provides access to a selection of information resources that are either freely available via the web, or which are accessible only through the University of Chicago. Additional information resources can be found through the Library Catalog, via LENS, and also through electronic resources links provided at The John Crerar Library website.
Related Research Guides:
Information included in this guide also relates to content provided in the following Science Research Guides:
Quick Reference: Physical Constants
- NIST Reference on Constants, Units, and Uncertainty
- An extensive, online searchable database of physical, chemical and universal constants, including bibliographic references, descriptions, explanations, and links to related data and research resources.
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (limited to University of Chicago users)
- Online access to a comprehensive list of fundamental physical constants in Section 1: 'Basic Constants, Units, and Conversion Factors.' Also available in print format, in Crerar bookstacks, at QD65.C481 (most recent edition held in the Crerar 1st Floor Reference Collection).
- Smithsonian Physical Tables (limited to University of Chicago users)
- Classic physics reference work provided via Knovel electronic texts. Also available in print format, in Crerar bookstacks, at QC61.S617 (most recent edition held in the Crerar 1st Floor Reference Collection).
- Encyclopaedia of scientific units, weights, and measures: their SI equivalences and origins
- François Cardarelli. Springer, 2003. Print format: Crerar 1st Floor Reference Collection, at QC94.C295 2003.
- AIP Physics Desk Reference
- Third Edition. Springer-Verlag/AIP Press, 2003. Print format: Crerar 1st Floor Reference Collection, at QC61.A37 2003.
- The Physics Quick Reference Guide
- E. Richard Cohen. American Institute of Physics, 1996. Print format: Crerar 1st Floor Reference Collection, at QC61.C650 1996.
Reference Sources: Mathematical Constants
- Wolfram Mathworld: 'Constants'
- Free online mathematics encyclopedia providing detailed definitions, theory, origins and applications for a wide range of mathematical constants.
- Mathematical constants
- Steven R. Finch. Cambridge University Press, 2003. Print format: Eckhart Library, at QA41.F54 2003.
Quick Reference: Weights and Measures
- Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures: Their SI Equivalences and Origins (limited to University of Chicago users).
- Also available in print format in Crerar 1st Floor Reference Collection, at QC94.C295 2003.
- General Tables of Units of Measurement (National Institute of Standards & Technology)
- More than 20 pages of standard units and conversion tables in downloadable pdf format for current and obsolete national and international weights and measures.
- A Dictionary of Weights, Measures, and Units (limited to University of Chicago users).
- Donald Fenna. Oxford University Press, 2002. Also available in print format in Crerar 1st Floor Reference Collection, at QC82 .F428 2002.
- Metric Units & Conversion Charts: A Metrication Handbook for Engineers, Technologists, and Scientists
- Theodore Wildi. IEEE, 1995. Print format: Crerar 1st Floor Reference Collection, at QC94.W530 1995.
- Elsevier's encyclopedic dictionary of measures
- Donald Fenna. Elsevier, 1998. Print format: Crerar 1st Floor Reference Collection, at QC82.F43 1998.
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Periodic Tables
Additional Online Resources
- International System of Units—Système International d’Unités (International Bureau of Weights & Measures)
- A browsable and downloadable ‘brochure’ of definitions and explanations of SI units and conventions.
- Weights & Measures Publications (National Institute of Standards & Technology)
- Downloadable pdf documents, including handbooks, reports, meeting agendas and other special publications of the NIST and the National Bureau of Standards.
- Searchable bibliography on the constants (National Institute of Standards & Technology)
- Online bibliographic database containing citations for key theoretical and experimental publications relevant to the fundamental constants and related precision measurements.
- Physical Reference Data (Physics Laboratory, National Institute of Standards & Technology)
- Web portal offering numerous links to physical data.
University of Chicago Library Website and Catalog
The University of Chicago Library Catalog provides access to a broad range of scientific and non-scientific titles relating to physical constants, weights and measures. When searching by Subject, the following terms may be useful:
- Units
- Mathematical constants
- Physical constants
- Physical measurements
- Physics handbooks manuals
- Weights and measures dictionaries
- Weights and measures handbooks
- Weights and measures tables
- Weights and measures history
LENS, the University of Chicago Library's faceted browser, can help identify the most effective search terms, and offers convenient ways to narrow your search by document attributes like year of publication, format, author and subject.
Many additional sources of information are available electronically through the University of Chicago Database Finder. For instance, the Database Finder can be used to access weights and measures information contained in the Knovel collection of electronic texts.
Weights and Measures Institutions, Government Agencies and Trade Associations
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): Weights and Measures Division
- In partnership with the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM), the NIST Weights & Measures Division promotes uniformity in U.S. weights and measures laws, regulations, and standards.
- Bureau International des Poids de Measures (International Bureau of Weights and Measures)
- Develops, monitors, calibrates and harmonizes international weights and measures standards based on the International System of Units (SI). Publishes the journal ‘Metrologia,’
- National Conference on Weights and Measures, Inc. (NCWM)
- National professional organization of U.S. state and local weights and measures officials and representatives of business, industry, consumer groups, and Federal agencies.
- UK National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML)
- Performs research, development, training, calibration, and approval of weights and measures standards and equipment in the UK.
- International Society of Weighing and Measurement (ISWM)
- Trade association for weighing and measurement industry professionals.
- U.S. Metric Association
- A national non-profit organization advocating U.S. conversion (metrication) to the International System of Units (Système International d’Unités, SI), also called the 'Modern Metric System.'
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Constants, Weights and Measures Journal Titles
For a comprehensive and searchable list of current journals, newsletters, and websites related to weights and measures, visit the website of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures.
- Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data
- A joint publication of the American Institute of Physics and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
- Metrologia (Bureau International des Poids de Measures, BIPM)
- International scientific journal of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures.
- Weights & Measures Quarterly (National Institute of Standards & Technology)
- Newsletter of the Weights & Measures Division of the U.S. NIST.
History of Weights and Measures
- Weights and Measures Standards of the United States: A Brief History
- Online version of a review compiled in the 1970s by Louis E. Barbrow and Lewis V. Judson. The content originates from a variety of NIST and NBS papers and reports, the most recent being the National Bureau of Standards Special Publication #447 (1976).
- History of Weights & Measures (National Institute of Standards & Technology Virtual Museum)
- Illustrated online exhibit tracing the historical development of weights and measures standards in the United States.
Selected Popular Science Publications
- About the Size of It
- Warwick Cairns. Macmillan, 2007.
- Shelved in Crerar Bookstacks, at: QC39.C255 2007
- A measure of all things : the story of man and measurement
- Ian Whitelaw. St. Martin's Press, 2007
- Shelved in Crerar Bookstacks at: QA465 .W45 2007
- The measure of all things : the seven-year odyssey and hidden error that transformed the world
- Ken Alder. Free Press, 2002
- Shelved in Crerar Bookstacks at: QB291 .A43 2002
- Euler: the master of us all.
- William Dunham. Mathematical Association of America, 1999.
- Shelved in Crerar Bookstacks at: QA29.E8 D86 1999
- Gamma: Exploring Euler's constant.
- Julian Havil. Princeton University Press, 2003.
- Shelved in Eckhart Library, at: QA41 .H23 2003
