BBC Focus Magazine

[M Paul Lloyd]

Faster than light particles and now changing mass!?

Is anything truly real?

The guardians of the world's most important standards of weights and measures have turned to the weird universe of quantum physics to try to resolve a dilemma.
To the bafflement of scientists, a cylinder of metal sitting in a closely-guarded strongbox that is the global benchmark for the kilogram is changing mass.
The enigma doesn't affect anyone who wants to buy 500-milligramme tablets of aspirin, half a kilo of carrots or a 50,000-tonne cruise ship.
But it poses a hefty theoretical challenge to physicists, and complicates the work of labs which need ultra-precise, always-standard measurement.
Since 1889, the kilogram has been internationally defined in accordance with a piece of metal kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (known by its French acronym of BIPM), in the Paris suburb of Sevres.

More here
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/kilogramme-fac ... 35537.html

[Healerman]

As the article says, possible impurities at the molecular level, evaporation, sublimation could account for it.
Failing that. A nice solid object is, we know from atomic theory, mostly empty space.
At a quantum level, it is a seething mass of activity. It's consistent characteristics are really only a mean value placed on an assumed dynamic equilibrium. Something got out of balance, I guess.

[M Paul Lloyd]

So...................... Is anything truly real?

[Nails]

Physics isn't really real.

I mean, a block of metal can't just change its mass, that we be like wierd?

[M Paul Lloyd]

I'm left wondering how many times this kilogram mass may have been struck by the occasional secondary cosmic ray, like those produced by gamma-rays as they hit the upper atmosphere which would presumably have an effect on its overall composition? Or even whether the normal background radiation hasn't had some bearing on the matter..... No pun intended...

[Lateralman]

Its metal thieves fools.

[M Paul Lloyd]

Its metal thieves fools.

Ha-ha.

No but seriously, it is kept inside a sealed container in a vault under 24 hour security.
It isn't going anywhere.

[Healerman]

You can get in anywhere with a little help from Schroedinger's cat.