Introduction to Weight Measurement Units
The Metric System refers to a set of commonly used standard units of measurement.
We are aware that the kilogram, which is abbreviated as "kg," is the primary standard unit of mass or weight. The gram abbreviated "g," is the 1000th part of this kilogram.
So, $1000 \mathrm{~g}=1 \mathrm{~kg}$ and $10000 \mathrm{~g}=10 \mathrm{~kg}$
The gram, which serves as the metric system's unit of mass is very small. We use grams to measure lighter items like popcorn, biscuits, and other snacks. We can use milligrams to quantify objects weighing less than one gram, such as medications $(\mathrm{mg})$. One-thousandth of a gram is equivalent to one milligram.
1000 milligrams $(\mathrm{mg})=1 \operatorname{gram}(\mathrm{g})$
1000 grams $(g)=1$ kilogram $(\mathrm{kg})$
Here, several weight measurements units are explained. Some popular conversions of how to convert 1 quintal in kg and metric ton to kg are also shown.
The weight measurement units are shown below in the picture.
Measuring Units
Weight and Mass
Weight is a measurement of an object's weight. Standard customary units are used to measure weight.
The quantity of material that makes up an object is measured by its mass. Standard metric units are used to measure mass. Kilograms (kg) is the SI unit of mass.
When you're on the earth's surface, the difference is negligible for day-to-day activities. The mass of an object will remain constant when measured on another planet, but its weight will change. (Gravity affects weight, and it varies from world to planet. Because of this, you are weightless when you are in space. However, you still have mass.
Conversion Units
The International System of Units (SI) prefixes allow weight to be expressed as multiples or fractions of 1 gram:
Other weights are used to measure the weights of different objects-
Like four $250 \mathrm{gm}$ weights are used which are equal to $1 \mathrm{~kg}$, five $200 \mathrm{gm}$ weights are used which are equal to $1 \mathrm{~kg}$, ten $1000 \mathrm{gm}$ weights are used which are equal to $1 \mathrm{~kg}$.
Therefore, the many units for measuring mass or weight include $1 \mathrm{~kg}, 500 \mathrm{~g}, 250 \mathrm{~g}, 200$ g, $100 \mathrm{~g}, 50 \mathrm{~g}$, etc. The unit weights for measuring $5 \mathrm{~kg}, 10 \mathrm{~kg}, 20 \mathrm{~kg}, 50 \mathrm{~kg}$, and $100 \mathrm{~kg}$ of mass are also available.
Conversion of Quintal to Kilograms and Tons to Kilograms
In this the conversion of 1 quintal to kg and a metric ton to kg is shown.
One metric tonne is defined as 10 quintal weight.
Consequently, $100 \mathrm{~kg}=1$ quintal and 1 quintal $=100 \mathrm{~kg}$.
10 quintals, or 10 times 100 kilograms, make up one metric tonne.
Common Balance and Mass Units
With the aid of a balance, the items are weighed. This balance is typically referred to as a common balance. We put the commodities or weight in one pan and the commodities or weight in the other pan.
We can say that there are three primary mass units. We weigh big objects using metric tonnes $(1000 \mathrm{~kg})$ or quintals ( $100 \mathrm{~kg})$, and we use kilograms and grams to measure objects that are used frequently. As a result, extremely heavy objects are measured in quintals and metric tonnes, whereas heavy objects are measured in kilograms, and light ones are measured in grams. Weights of $500 \mathrm{~g}, 250 \mathrm{~g}, 200 \mathrm{~g}, 100 \mathrm{~g}, 50 \mathrm{~g}$, and $25 \mathrm{~g}$ are used.
Commonly used Weight
Solved Examples
Q1. Use specific units: quintal, kg, or g to measure the weights of the following objects:
3 sacks of rice
Ans: Quintal
Tin full of vegetable oil
Ans: Kg
Spoon
Ans: Grams
Q2. Express 3460 quintal to metric ton.
Ans: One metric tonne is defined as 10 quintal weight.
Therefore, 3460 quintals will be 346 metric tonnes.
Q3. Convert the 4000 grams into kgs.
Ans: 1 kg is 1000 gms
Therefore 4000 gms will be 4 kgs.
Practice Problems
Q1. Fill ups:
1) 1 quintal = _______ kg
2) 1 metric ton = _______ kg
Ans: 100 kg, 1000 kg
Q2. Convert 5000 quintals to metric tonnes.
Ans: 500 metric tonne
Q3. Convert kgs to grams or vice versa.
1) 6000 gms
2) 3 kgs
3) 4500 gms
Ans: 6 kg, 3000gms, 4.5 kgs
Summary
Comparing an unknown quantity to a known quantity is referred to as measurement. The measurement yields a numerical value with specific units. Any given object's length, mass, capacity (volume), and temperature can all be measured. A brief knowledge of weight measurement units, conversion units, and common balance and mass units have been discussed here.
FAQs on Weight Measurement Units
1. What is the main difference between mass and weight?
The main difference lies in what they measure. Mass is the amount of matter in an object and is constant everywhere, typically measured in kilograms (kg). Weight is the force of gravity acting on that mass and is scientifically measured in Newtons (N). In everyday language, we often use the term 'weight' to refer to an object's mass.
2. What are the common metric units used for measuring weight in everyday life?
The three most common metric units for measuring weight (mass) are:
- Kilogram (kg): Used for heavier items like a bag of rice or the weight of a person.
- Gram (g): Used for lighter items like a single biscuit or a pencil. There are 1000 grams in 1 kilogram.
- Milligram (mg): Used for very small quantities, such as medicine or spices. There are 1000 milligrams in 1 gram.
3. How do you convert a weight from kilograms (kg) to grams (g)?
To convert from kilograms to grams, you multiply the number of kilograms by 1,000. The basic conversion formula is: 1 kg = 1000 g. For example, to convert a 5 kg bag of flour into grams, you would calculate 5 x 1000, which equals 5,000 grams.
4. Why is it important to use standard units like grams and kilograms for measurement?
Using standard units is crucial for consistency and accuracy. Non-standard units, such as a 'handful' or a 'stone', can vary greatly from one person to another. Standard units like the gram and kilogram are universally defined, ensuring that a measurement is the same for everyone. This is essential for activities like scientific experiments, trade, and following cooking recipes correctly.
5. Which unit of weight is appropriate for measuring a feather, a watermelon, and a car?
The choice of unit depends on the object's heaviness to keep the numbers manageable:
- For a very light object like a feather, you would use milligrams (mg).
- For a moderately heavy object like a watermelon, you would use kilograms (kg).
- For a very heavy object like a car, you would use metric tonnes (t), where 1 tonne equals 1000 kilograms.
6. How does a simple common balance work to compare the weights of objects?
A common balance works on the principle of comparing an unknown weight with a known weight. It has a beam with a pan on each end. The object you want to weigh is placed on one pan, and standard weights (e.g., 1 kg, 500 g) are added to the other pan. The beam becomes perfectly horizontal or balanced when the weight on both pans is equal, thus revealing the weight of the object.
7. If we use kilograms for weight in daily life, what is the actual scientific unit of weight in Physics?
In daily life, we commonly use the kilogram (kg) to describe how heavy something is. Scientifically, however, the kilogram is the unit of mass. In Physics, weight is defined as the force of gravity acting on an object. This force is correctly measured in Newtons (N). Therefore, an object's mass in kilograms is constant, but its weight in Newtons would be different on Earth compared to the Moon due to the difference in gravity.
8. How do you add or subtract weights that have different units, like kilograms and grams?
To add or subtract weights with different units, you must first convert them to a single common unit. For example, to add 2 kg 500 g and 1 kg 700 g, you can convert everything to grams. This would be 2500 g + 1700 g = 4200 g. You can then convert this back to kilograms and grams, which is 4 kg 200 g. Always convert to the smaller unit to avoid decimals during calculation.
