Convert Metric Units of Mass

What is Mass? 

Mass is used to measure the weight of an object. 

For example, you are measuring the mass of your body when you step on to a scale. 

Metric Unit of Mass: In the metric system of measurement, the most common units of mass are the gram and kilogram. 

Note: All of the other metric units of mass are defined in terms of the gram. 

Let’s understand the metric units of mass, what they are in actuality.  

Kilogram

The abbreviation for kilogram is ‘Kg.’ 

1 kilogram is equal to 1000 grams. 

1 kilogram mass is the same as a Cuban Solenodon, a pineapple. (Approx.) 

Gram

The measurement of a gram is one of the most widely used measurements. 

The abbreviation for gram is ‘’g.” 

1 gram quantity is the same as the weight of a paper clip or the weight of a dollar note.  

Milligram   

A milligram is a very small unit of measurement in the metric system, 

It also requires very precise scales to weigh out a milligram accurately. 

The abbreviation for milligram is ‘’mg.” 

1 milligram quantity is the same as a small feather or half the weight of a small mosquito.  

Some basic metric units of capacity and relation between

Conversion between the metric units of capacity

To convert from one unit of mass to another unit, we need to multiply or divide.  

Examples: 

1. Convert 8 kg into gram and milligram. 

Solution: 8 kg = 8 × 1000 g = 8000 g  

= 8 kg = 8 × 1000 × 1000 mg  = 8,000,000 mg  

2. Convert 35 g into kilograms. 

Solution: 35 g = 35/1000 kg

= 0.035 kg 

3.  Convert 310 mg into grams. 

Solution: 310 mg = 310/1000 g 

= 0.31 g 

4. Convert 12 kg 3 g into kilograms. 

Solution: 12 kg 3 g = 12 kg + 3/1000 g 

= 12 kg + 0.003 g 

= 12.003 kg 

Example: Which has the greater mass: 7 kilograms or 6,123,000 milligrams? Explain how you made your comparison. 

Solution: 7 kg = 7 × 1000 g 

= 7000 g = 7000 × 1000 mg 

= 7,000,000 mg  

Now it is obvious that 7 kg is greater mass. 

Example: There are two boxes of cereal in the kitchen. One contains 350 g of cereal, and the other one contains 2.67 kg of cereal. How much cereal (measured in kg) is there in total?   

Solution: 350 g = 0.35 kg  

= 2.67 + 0.35 = 3.02 

There are 3.02 kg of cereal in total. 

Concept Map