Absolute measurement

In experimental physics, an absolute measurement is understood to be the quantitative determination of a measured variable, specifying units of measurement . The prerequisite for this is calibration of the measuring apparatus.

Absolute measurements are not always necessary to clarify a physical question (e.g. for the experimental determination of the exponent in a theoretically predicted power law ). Is an absolute measurement possible is not of interest or not, the measurement results in arbitrary units (ger .: be arbitrary units , abbreviated au ) specified.

In geodesy , an absolute measurement is understood to be the measurement to record movements and deformations of an object to be monitored or individual object points in relation to an external reference system that is not influenced by the expected changes in shape of the object .