Measuring Mass – Definition, Units, Conversion, Examples | How to Measure Mass?

Mass is the word that we see around us every time. Every object has a mass like a table, a glass, and even air has mass. It is a basic feature property of matter. All objects are light or heavy because of their mass. Mass is used to measure the weight of an object but weight is used to measure how heavy the object is. The terms mass and weight seem the same but there is a small difference between both. On this page, you will learn about mass and its measuring units and few examples of how to measure mass for a better understanding of the concept.

Also, Refer:

What is Mass?

Mass is commonly measured by something how much it weighs. The quantity of matter in an object is called mass. Mass is defined as the measure of the amount of matter in an object. We should know that mass of a body is different from the weight of that body. Both are different in real. The mass of a body is constant, it never changes.

For example, the weight of an object changes, but a mass of a body never changes. To measure mass, we use some metric units. The following image shows some measuring tools to know and make understand the mass of an object.

Tools used for measuring mass

Measuring Mass

In the metric system of measuring mass, the units we used to measure most are grams and kilograms. Every unit of mass is converted to other units by using the proper formula without affecting the quantity to be measured. There are different terms to calculate or measure the mass namely grams, kilograms, lbs, tonnes, pounds, etc. The standard units of mass are kilograms and it is denoted as ‘kg’. For example, to know the weights of heavy objects like stones, bags of rice, etc.

While purchasing we may see different types of units to measure the things. Simply, the units are based on the items we purchase. The following are the units to measure mass and their equivalent terms.

Milligram(mg)       =   0.001 grams

Centigram(cg)       =   0.01 gram

Decigram (dg)       =   0.1 gram

Gram(g)                 =   1000 milligrams

Dekagram (dag)    =   10 grams

Hectogram (hg)     =   100 grams

Kilogram (kg)         =   1000 grams

Metric ton(t)          =   1000 kilograms

One kilogram is equivalent to thousand grams. Simply, we can write as 1kg = 1000g or 1000g = 1kg.

One tonne is equivalent to thousand kilograms. Just, we can write it as 1t = 1000kg or 1000kg = 1t.

500 grams is equivalent to half kilogram. Simply, we can say as 500g = 0.5kg or 05kg = 500g.

But, the commonly used units for measuring mass are grams(g), kilograms(kg).

Do Check:

Measuring Mass Examples

Example 1:
Ram purchased 7 kg 200 g of sugar, 9 kg 395 g of rice. What is the total weight which Ram carried?
Solution:
Sugar purchased by Ram is 7kg 200g
Rice purchased by Ram is 9kg 395g
Now, we have to find the total weight carried by him.
Thus, we add both the weights carried by Ram.

7kg  200g
+ 9kg  395g
—————
16kg 595g

Therefore, the total weight carried by Ram is 16kg 595g.

Example 2:
Puja purchased 7 kg 420 g of apples. Jaya purchased 5 kg 350 g fewer apples than Puja. Find the quantity of apples purchased by Jaya.
Solution:
Apples purchased by Puja is 7kg 420g
Apples purchased by Jaya less than Puja is 5kg 350g
Now, we have to measure the quantity of apples purchased by Jaya.
We subtract the number of apples.
Quantity of apples purchased = 7kg 420g – 5kg 350g = 2kg 70g.
Therefore, apples purchased by Jaya are 2kg 70g.

Example 3:
Convert 2000g into kilograms.
Solution:
We knew that 1000g = 1kg
Now, have to convert 2000g into kilograms.
The formula for converting grams into kilograms is 1 g = (1/1000) kg = 0.001 kg
Next, we apply the conversion formula
2000g = 2000÷1000 = 2kg.
Hence, 2000grams is equal to 2kilogams.

Example 3:
Convert 35kg to milligrams.
Solution:
We know, 1kg = 1000mg and 1mg = 0.001g.
Now, we have to convert 35kg to milligrams.
The formula to convert kilograms to milligrams is 1 kg = 106 mg = 1000000 mg.
Now, let’s apply the conversion formula
35kg = 35 × 1000000 = 35000000mg.
Therefore, 35kg is equivalent to 35000000mg or 356 mg.

Example 4:
Convert 685mg to grams.
Solution:
As we know, 1g = 1000mg
Now, convert 685mg to grams.
The formula to convert milligrams to grams is 1 mg = (1/1000) g = 0.001 g.
Apply, the conversion formula
685mg = 685 ÷ 1000 = 0.685g.
Thus, 685mg is equivalent to 0.685grams.

Example 5:
Convert 89kg 500g to grams.
Solution:
As we know, one kilogram is equal to thousand grams i.e., 1kg = 1000g.
Now, we have to convert 89kg 500g to grams.
First, we have to convert kilograms to grams and then have to add to grams given i.e., 500g.
The formula to convert kilograms to grams is 1kg = 1×1000g = 1000grams.
Let’s apply the formula for conversion
89kg = 89 × 1000 = 89000grams.
Now, we have to add 89000grams to 500grams i.e., 89000+500 = 89500g.
Thus, 89kg 500g is converted into grams as 89500grams.

FAQs on How to Measure Mass?

1. How do we measure mass?

We measure mass based on objects or items we have. The basic SI Units to measure mass are grams(g), kilograms(kg), and tonnes(t). We use the balance tool to measure mass.

2. What are the units used to measure mass?

The units used to measure mass are milligrams(mg), grams(g), and kilograms(kg), etc.

3. Can we measure the mass by scale?

By using scale we can’t measure mass directly, because the weight of any object depends on local gravity. Thus, weights are stated in mass units like grams, kilograms.

4. Why do we measure the mass?

Measuring Mass is important because it measures the amount of force to take while the object moves. Mass is the measurement of the amount of material in an object it contains.

Leave a Comment