We explain what weight measurements are and what they are for. In addition, other less common weight measurements.
What are weight measurements?
Weight measurements are units conventionally used for calculate the weight of a body that is, the amount of matter in it.
Although this magnitude is more commonly known as “weight”, in reality we are talking about mass; since the first will be the extent to which, under the action of gravity, the object exerts a force on the surface on which it rests and, therefore, is measured in Newtons (N).
Mass, on the other hand, responds to the amount of matter in an object and to measure it, the conventional measurements of gram (g) and kilogram (kg) are used, among others.
The weight measurement to be used, in any case, will depend on many scientific and cultural variables, so In some nations one system is used and in others another is used. To carry out measurements of this type, in any case, a balance is used: on one end or saucer the object is placed and on the other side loads equivalent to its weight.
According to the International System, The standard measure of weight is the gram (g) taken from the decimal metric system along with its extensive list of multiples: decagram (Dg), hectogram (Hg) and kilogram (Kg) that represent 10, 100 and 1000 net grams respectively.
Below, however, there are also known submultiples: decigram (dg), centigram (cg) and milligram (mg). A gram was once defined as the mass of one cubic centimeter of water at a temperature of 3.98°C.
One weight measurement can be converted into another thanks to a more or less stable and accepted conversion factor.
See also: Specific gravity
Other weight measurements
Other weight measurements are also known, such as the following:
- Metric quintal It was an old unit of weight in Spain, equivalent to 100 Castilian pounds (about 46 kg). However, once incorporated into the decimal metric system, it was rounded to 50 kg in many places, and was finally understood as a metric quintal, equivalent to 100 kg. Formerly it had the arroba as a fraction, a quarter of a quintal (11.5 kg), but today it is clearly out of use.
- Ton Its name comes from the Old French word for “barrel” and, although it is not part of the International System, it is accepted as equivalent to 1000 kilograms (one million grams). It is also known as megagram.
- Pound It is the measure of weight of the Anglo-Saxon system, although it was used since times as ancient as the Roman Empire. Over time it has responded to various values, among which the pound ended up prevailing. avoirdupoisequivalent to 0.45359 kg (453.59237 g). There is also the troy poundused today only in goldsmithing and jewelry, and which is equivalent to 373.2417216 grams.
- Ounce It is another traditional measure of weight, it was used especially for things that weighed less than a pound, since it was initially equivalent to 1/12 pound. It was later converted and today the ounce exists.avoirdupois equivalent to 28.349523125 grams; and the troy ounce (used only in jewelry) equivalent to 31.1034768 grams.
