What are the 4 units of mass?

Units of Mass: A Comprehensive Overview

Mass, a fundamental physical quantity, measures the amount of matter an object contains. Within the International System of Units (SI), the kilogram (kg) serves as the primary unit of mass. However, various other units are employed for convenience and specialized applications.

1. Gram (g)

The gram is a decimal subunit of the kilogram, defined as one-thousandth of a kilogram (1 g = 10^-3 kg). It is widely used in scientific and everyday measurements, particularly for smaller quantities.

2. Tonne (t)

A tonne, or metric ton, is a large unit of mass equivalent to 1,000 kilograms (1 t = 10^3 kg). It is commonly employed in the measurement of large quantities in industries such as manufacturing, mining, and transportation.

3. Atomic Mass Unit (u)

The atomic mass unit is a specialized unit designed for expressing the masses of atoms and molecules. It is defined as one-twelfth of the mass of a single carbon-12 atom (1 u = 1.6605 x 10^-24 g).

4. Electronvolts (eV)

Electronvolts are units of energy commonly used in particle physics and atomic spectroscopy. While primarily employed to measure energy, they can also be utilized to express mass via Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence formula (E = mc^2). In this context, 1 eV corresponds to a mass of approximately 1.0736 x 10^-30 kg.

Conclusion

The kilogram remains the fundamental unit of mass in the SI system. However, the gram, tonne, atomic mass unit, and electronvolts serve as invaluable units for measuring mass across diverse applications, ranging from small-scale scientific experiments to large-scale industrial processes. Understanding these units is crucial for effective and precise measurement in various fields.