Sunday, October 21, 2007

Why are the kilogram weights hexagonal?

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/347006/2/istockphoto_347006_one_kilogram_mass.jpg
Kilogram weights are hexagonal for stability, as volume is the surface area multiplied by height. For a hexagonal object, the surface area is maximum as compared to other angular shapes, plus the height is fixed for every weight. The higher the surface area, the better the stability.

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