Measurement of Mass

The mass of a body is a measure of the quantity of matter it contains. This mass is usually measured in kilograms (kg) or grams (g, or gm) by comparing it with standard masses, using weighing balances of various types and sizes. Mass measurements are used by scientists, engineers, butchers, health clinics and hospital workers, etc.

_{Laboratory Weighing Balance.}

Units of Mass:

The basic unit of mass is the gram (gm). Other units of common use are milligram (mg) and kilogram (kg). 

The following conversions are useful for mass calculation purposes:

1 milligramme (mg) = \( \frac{1}{1000} \scriptsize \: gm\) = 0.001 gm = 10^-3 gm

1 centigramme (cg) = \( \frac{1}{100} \scriptsize \: gm \) = 0.01 gm = 10^-2 gm

1 decagramme (dg) = 10 gm = 10¹ gm

1 hectogramme (hg) = 100 gm = 10² gm

1 kilogramme (kg) = 1,000gm = 10³ gm

1 metric ton (tones)(mt) = 1000 kg or 1000000 g = 10⁶ gm

Mass Measuring Equipment:

There are various types of balance and the common types in use are the beam balance, lever balance, dial spring balance or spring balance, health or bathroom balance, etc.