I wonder if it is any coincidence that one coulomb, 6.02 x 10^23, is
the same number that's used to calculate the molecular mass on the
periodic table?

On 4/4/09, David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net> wrote:
> In the beginning was the Word.  Or in our case, the Unit.  The
> fundamental unit of electricity is the coulomb, which is a certain
> number of electrons.  A large number, around 6.02x10^23.  It
> undoubtedly has some fancy-schmancy definition now, but it was
> originally defined in France as the number of electrons that would
> plate some miniscule quantity of pure silver onto an electrode.  So
> it is the unit of quantity.  The rest come from it.  Note: you will
> see circular definitions below.  The interested may chase them down,
> but it's not necessary to do that to use them.
>
> The Ampere is the unit of rate of flow. The flow of one Coulomb per
> second is one Ampere.
>
> The Volt is the unit of pressure, or more formally electromotive
> force.  One Volt will cause a flow of one Ampere through a resistance
> of one Ohm.
>
> The Ohm is the unit of resistance to flow.  One Ohm will allow one
> Ampere to flow under a pressure of one Volt.
>
> The Watt is the unit of power, or rate of work. One Ampere flowing
> through one Ohm will develop one Watt.
>
> The total amount of work is the product of rate and time, so one Watt
> for one Second will do one Watt-Second of work.  Similarly the Watt-hour.
>
>   --
> David Beierl - Providence RI USA -- http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
> '89 Po' White Star "Scamp"
>

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Chris S.
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