maateenheid

Maateenheid is the Dutch term for a unit of measurement, a defined quantity used to express a physical property numerically. A maateenheid specifies what is being measured and the scale on which it is expressed. Examples include meter for length, kilogram for mass, second for time, ampere for electric current, kelvin for temperature, mole for amount of substance, and candela for luminous intensity.

The International System of Units (SI) provides the widely used framework of base units and derived units. Base units include meter, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, mole, and candela; derived units combine these in predefined ways, such as newton for force or joule for energy. SI is the standard system in science, industry, and commerce, though some non-SI units remain in use in specific contexts.

Measurement values are typically reported with an uncertainty, indicating the precision and possible error. Measurements are linked to national standards through metrology institutes, ensuring traceability to SI. International coordination is provided by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), which oversees the global agreement on units and constants.

The concept of a maateenheid applies across disciplines—from physics and chemistry to engineering and manufacturing, as well as everyday commerce. In Dutch usage, it covers both SI units and, in certain contexts, historical or traditional units, though official documentation generally adheres to SI.