Should the Unit of Momentum Be Named After Emmy Noether?

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SUMMARY

The proposal to name a unit of momentum after Emmy Noether, potentially called the "Noether" or "emmynoether," has sparked significant discussion. While some advocate for this recognition, emphasizing her contributions to physics, others argue it should not be an official SI unit, as it may only gain traction in the US. The debate highlights the need for gender representation in scientific nomenclature, as currently, all named units in the International System of Units are attributed to men. The suggestion includes defining the Noether as 1 Noether = 1 kg·m/s, which could be adopted informally in educational settings.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the International System of Units (SI)
  • Familiarity with momentum and its mathematical representation
  • Knowledge of Emmy Noether's contributions to physics and mathematics
  • Awareness of historical context regarding unit naming conventions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of introducing new units in the SI system
  • Explore the historical contributions of Emmy Noether to physics and mathematics
  • Investigate the process of naming units through the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM)
  • Learn about other proposed units and their historical significance, such as the "bole" for momentum
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, educators, and historians interested in the evolution of scientific nomenclature and gender representation in science will benefit from this discussion.

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  • #32
In 1888, a committee of the British Association proposed "bole" as the name for the unit of momentum. (link)
 
  • #34
That unit name is unknown in the English wikipedia. I am not sure I would trust the statement in the German wikipedia. It does not seem likely that the British Association in 1888 was unaware of a unit name conflict. In contrast, they said the uncouthness of some of these terms was put forward as a reason for their adoption, as their unfamiliarity would compel closer attention ands lead to their being easily remembered.
link
 
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  • #35
Orthoceras said:
I am not sure I would trust the statement in the German wikipedia.
I cannot see why someone would invent this. Criticizing the source is cheap, but that doesn't make it wrong.

They say that Bole was used in Denmark https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bol where it was written Bol and in the neighboring German region for farmland, and in Scottland for volume: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firlot where they wrote it Boll. A bole measured grain in England: https://www.sizes.com/units/bole.htm

However, you can doubt every source on the internet I ever could mention.

But they noted their references

A Dictionary of Obsolete and Provincial English.
London: Henry G. Bohn, 1857.
Page 233.

and also that it was proposed for momentum:

Latimer Clark.
A Dictionary of Metric and Other Useful Measures.
London: E & F.N. Spon, 1891.
 
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