Kilograms
Abbreviation/Symbol:
kg
kilo (informal)
Worldwide use:
Kilograms, abbreviated as kg, are the most widely used unit of measurement for mass worldwide. This metric unit is used in various fields, including science, industry, commerce, and everyday life. The use of kilograms is not limited to any specific region or country, making it a truly global unit of measurement.
Definition:
The kg is defined as being equal to the mass of the International Prototype of the Kilogram (IPK), a block of platinum-iridium alloy manufactured in 1889 and stored at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Sèvres, France.
It is the only SI unit that is defined by a physical object rather than a fundamental physical property that can be reproduced in laboratories.
Origin:
For a short period the grave (also a metallic reference standard) was used to define one thousand grams, until it was replaced by the kilogram in 1799.
In 1795 metric measurement systems were introduced in France and the gram was defined as "the absolute weight of a volume of pure water equal to a cube of one hundredth of a metre, and at the temperature of the melting ice".
The kilogramme (derived from the Greek chilioi [thousand] and gramma [a small weight] was named as a more practical measure of mass for larger quantities in trade, and came to be used as the base unit of mass in all metric measurement systems.
The International (SI) System of Units published in 1960 used the kilogramme as the base unit of mass, and has been adopted by almost every country on earth (with a few notable the exceptions such as the United States).
Common references:
A kilogram is the approximate weight of a one litre bottle of soft drink.
Sugar is commonly sold in 1kg measures.
A typical basketball weighs approximately 1kg.
Usage context:
Kilograms, often abbreviated as kg, are a widely used unit of measurement in various contexts. The primary usage context of kilograms is in measuring the mass or weight of objects. This unit is commonly employed in everyday life, as well as in scientific, industrial, and commercial applications.
Kilograms are used to measure the weight of groceries, personal belongings, and even ourselves. It is the standard unit for weighing fruits, vegetables, meat, and other food items at grocery stores. Additionally, kilograms are used in determining the weight of luggage at airports or the weight of individuals on weighing scales.
In scientific research and engineering, kilograms are crucial for measuring the mass of substances, chemicals, and materials. This is particularly important in fields such as chemistry, physics, and biology, where precise measurements are necessary for experiments and calculations. Kilograms are also used in engineering to measure the weight of construction materials, machinery, and vehicles.