III. Speaking.

Exercise 9. Explain the definition of the Metrology given by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures.

Exercise 10. Describe three subfields of Metrology.

Exercise 11. Speak on the meaning of the term “traceability”.

Exercise 12. Explain and give the description of the metrology standards.

Exercise 13. Make up the plan covering main ideas of the text. Reproduce the text according to the plan.

IV. Reading and comprehension.

Exercise 14. Read the text B. Translate it with a dictionary.

Historical Development of Metrology Standards

The inhabitants of the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3000–1500 BCE, Mature period 2600–1900 BCE) developed a sophisticated system of standardization, using weights and measures, evident by the excavations made at the Indus valley sites. This technical standardization enabled gauging devices to be effectively used in angular measurement and measurement for construction. Calibration was also found in measuring devices along with multiple subdivisions in case of some devices.

Metrology has existed in some form or another since antiquity. The earliest forms of metrology were simply arbitrary standards set up by regional or local authorities, often based on practical measures such as the length of an arm. The earliest examples of these standardized measures are length, time, and weight. These standards were established in order to facilitate commerce and record human activity.

Little progress was made with regard to proto-metrology until various scientists, chemists, and physicists started making headway during the scientific revolution. With the advances in the sciences, the comparison of experiment to theory required a rational system of units, and something more closely resembling modern metrology began to come into being. The discovery of atoms, electricity, thermodynamics, and other fundamental scientific principles could be applied to standards of measurement, and many inventions made it easier to quantitatively or qualitatively assess physical properties, using the defined units of measurement established by science.

Metrology was thus one of the precursors to the Industrial Revolution, and was necessary for the implementation of mass production, equipment commonality, and assembly lines.

Modern metrology has its roots in the French Revolution, with the political motivation to harmonize units all over France and the concept of establishing units of measurement based on constants of nature, and thus making measurement units available "for all people, for all time".

The development of standards also involves individual and small group achievements. In 1893, Edward Weston (chemist) and his company perfected his Saturated Standard Cell design, which allowed the volt to be reproduced to 1 part in ten to the fourth power directly. This advance made a huge practical difference at a critical moment in the development of modern electrical devices. Groupings of saturated cells, called banks, can still be found in some metrology and calibration laboratories today. Edward Weston did not pursue patents for his cell design. By doing this, his superior design quickly replaced similar but inferior patented devices worldwide without much discussion.

Exercise 15. Fill in the chart according to the information from the text.

Periods of the Metrology development	Results and achievements
1) The inhabitants of the Indus Valley Civilization
2) Metrology in Antiquity
3) Proto-metrology and the scientific revolution
4) Metrology in the Industrial Revolution
5) The roots of Metrology in the French Revolution
6) Individual and small group achievements

Exercise 16. Answer the following questions:

1) What was the contribution of the Indus Valley Civilization in the development of Metrology?

2) What were the earliest forms of Metrology?

3) What discoveries could be applied to standards of measurement?

4) What do you know about revolutions connected with the changes in metrological studies?

5) What do you know about Edward Weston and saturated cells?

Exercise 17. Retell the text in your native language using the questions from ex. 16.

Exercise 18. Role-play. Imagine that you are an expert in metrology standards connected with your speciality. Make up a dialogue with your group-mate performing the roles of the journalist and the interviewee – expert in metrology standards. Use the vocabulary of the lesson.