Mass is considered as a fundamental parameter that is used to recognized in physics, chemistry and even everyday lift. The mass is considered as the measure of an inertia and gravitational pull of an object. In this article we are discussing about the units of mass that are commonly used in the world.
Most commonly types of units from the universally recognized grams and kilograms to the more specialized units like the Planck mass and electronvolt, we are discussing the diverse scales and applications that define our comprehension of mass.
Let’s discuss about units of mass.
Gram (g):
The gram is a basic unit of mass in the metric system, equal to one thousandth of a kilogram. It’s widely used for measuring small quantities of substances.
Kilogram (kg):
The kilogram is the fundamental unit of mass in the metric system. It is defined as the mass of the international prototype of the kilogram and is commonly used for everyday measurements.
Milligram (mg):
One thousandth of a gram, the milligram is often used in pharmaceuticals and chemistry for precise measurements of small amounts.
Metric Ton (t):
The metric ton, or tonne, is a unit of mass in the metric system equal to 1,000 kilograms. It is commonly used in international trade and industry.
Microgram (μg):
The microgram is one millionth of a gram, frequently used in fields like biology and pharmacology to measure extremely small quantities.
Pound (lb):
The pound is a unit of mass in the imperial system, commonly used in the United States and a few other countries. One pound is equivalent to 0.453592 kilograms.
Ounce (oz):
The ounce is another unit of mass in the imperial system, often used for measuring smaller quantities. One ounce is approximately equal to 28.35 grams.
Stone (st):
The stone is a unit of mass used primarily in the United Kingdom and Ireland. One stone is equivalent to 14 pounds.
Carat (ct):
The carat is a unit of mass used for measuring gemstones and pearls. One carat is equivalent to 0.2 grams.
Atomic Mass Unit (amu):
The atomic mass unit is a unit of mass used in chemistry and physics to express atomic and molecular masses on a molecular scale.
Slug:
The slug is a unit of mass in the imperial system, mainly used in physics. One slug is equivalent to approximately 14.5939 kilograms.
Grain (gr):
The grain is a unit of mass commonly used in the measurement of bullets, arrows, and other projectiles. One grain is equivalent to approximately 0.0648 grams.
Hundredweight (cwt):
The hundredweight is a unit of mass equal to 100 pounds. It is used in various contexts, including agriculture and commerce.
Dram (dr):
The dram is a unit of mass in the avoirdupois system, primarily used in the United States. One dram is equivalent to 1/16 of an ounce.
Solar Mass (M☉):
The solar mass is a unit of mass used in astronomy to express the mass of celestial objects, especially stars. One solar mass is equivalent to the mass of our Sun.
These units cater to a range of measurements, from the everyday to the highly specialized, providing flexibility for different fields and applications.
Some more types of units of mass as follows.
Planck Mass:
A fundamental unit of mass in the system of natural units, the Planck mass is approximately 2.18×10−8 kilograms. It plays a significant role in quantum mechanics and theoretical physics.
Quintal (q):
The quintal is a metric unit of mass equal to 100 kilograms. It is commonly used in some agricultural contexts for measuring large quantities of goods.
Bag (of Rice, for example):
While not a standard unit, bags are often used colloquially to measure mass, especially in agricultural and commercial settings. The mass can vary based on the product.
Dalton (Da):
The Dalton is a unit of mass used in biochemistry and molecular biology to express the mass of proteins, nucleic acids, and other large molecules. One Dalton is approximately equal to the mass of one hydrogen atom.
Electronvolt (eV/c²):
Although primarily an energy unit, the electronvolt is sometimes used as a unit of mass in particle physics. The mass-energy equivalence principle (E=mc²) allows for the expression of mass in terms of energy.
Some of the smaller types of units of mass used word wide are:
Milligram (mg):
We have already mentioned, the milligram is one thousandth of a gram, commonly used for measuring small quantities in various fields, including medicine and chemistry.
Microgram (μg):
Also previously mentioned, the microgram is one millionth of a gram. It is frequently used in scientific contexts where extremely small amounts need to be measured.
Nanogram (ng):
One billionth of a gram, the nanogram is utilized in fields such as genetics and pharmaceuticals to measure minute quantities of substances.
Picogram (pg):
The picogram is one trillionth of a gram. It is often employed in molecular biology and analytical chemistry to measure the mass of very small samples.
Femtogram (fg):
The femtogram is one quadrillionth of a gram. This extremely small unit is relevant in advanced scientific research, particularly in fields like particle physics and nanotechnology.