A Kilo of Confusion
Apparently the weight used as the reference standard for a kilogram is getting lighter:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=technology&res=9C04E4D91731F934A15756C0A9659C8B63
I wonder, seeing as it's a Platimum-Iridium alloy, if perhaps some proportion of the Platimum might be comprised of Platimum 193, which would decay with a half life of 50 years into the ever so slightly lighter Iridium 193.
All of you physics types out there, does this sound like a reasonable idea? Or is it mere foolishness?