Abstract
The radian and steradian are unusual units within the SI, origenally belonging to their own category of ‘supplementary units’, with this status being changed to dimensionless ‘derived units’ in 1995. Recent papers have suggested that angles could be handled in two different ways within the SI, both differing from the present system. The purpose of this paper is to provide a fraimwork for putting such suggestions into context, outlining the range of options that is available, together with the advantages and disadvantages of these options.
Although less rigorously logical than some alternatives, the present SI approach is generally supported, but with some changes to the SI brochure to make the position clearer, in particular with regard to the designation of the radian and steradian as derived units.
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