Quick Steps and Tips to Convert Kilograms to Grams
Kilogram and gram are the basic units of mass used in SI and CGS systems respectively. A kilogram is the unit of mass as per the metric system. A gram is the basic mass unit that is used for calculating kilograms or vice versa. The conversion of kg to gram is done following certain steps. Here, we will learn what these mass units are and how they can be inter-converted.
What is kilogram?
As mentioned earlier, the kilogram is the basic mass unit as per the metric system. It is measured using various references in the past. At first, it was measured using the weight of 1000 cc of water. The density of water changes with temperature. Moreover, the impurities and solutes present in water also give imprecise answers to standardize the ideal mass of 1 kg, this reference has been discarded.
To avoid such complications, a solid cylinder made of platinum-iridium alloys is used as the standard to measure 1 kg by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, France. The kilogram table shows the following ways to convert it into other units of mass.
1 mg = 1/1000000 kg
1 g = 1/1000 kg
What is Gram?
According to the reference used to define a mass of 1 kg, a gram is defined as the 1/1000th part of a kilogram. It was previously defined as the mass of 1 cc of water (maximum density: 1g/cc). As per the definition of gram, we can conclude:
1 g = 1/1000th kg
The gram table suggests how to convert other units of mass into grams.
1 kg = 1000 g
1 mg = 1/1000 g
The elaborate table can also give you the best idea of how other units can be converted into grams and vice versa. All you have to do is to remember what to multiply or divide to find the right answer.
If you follow this table then you can easily answer how many grams in a kilo. There are 1000 grams in a kilogram. In fact, we can also find out how to convert kg to gram. Here is the process to follow.
Conversion of Kilogram to Gram
As per the table, if 1 kg is equal to 1000 g then by applying the unitary method. All you have to do is to multiply the numerical before the kg unit with 1000 and place gram after it. Let us see a few examples.
1/2 kg Means How Many Grams
Following the step mentioned above, let us multiply ½ with 1000. Here is the equation to follow.
1/2 kg = (1/2 x 1000) g = 500 g.
5 kg Means How Many Grams
To convert kg to g, we need to follow the same step. Here, we will have to multiply the numerical by 1000 and change kg to g.
5 kg = (5 x 1000) g = 5000 g
To answer swiftly, you can use a kilogram chart where the direct conversion of certain values of kg is done into grams. This chart gives you the idea of how the mass units can be converted by simply multiplying 1000 to the numerical of the kg mass.
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How to Convert g to Kg?
If you follow the grams and kilograms chart, you will find that the exact opposite of the process converting kg to g is followed. It means that you will have to divide the numerical preceding the g unit by 1000 and add the unit of kg after it.
Let us consider a few examples.
Convert 2000 g to kg
Let us divide 2000 with 1000 to find the answer.
2000 g = 2000/1000 kg = 2 kg
Convert 200 g to kg
Following the same process, let us divide 200 by 1000 and see what the answer is.
200 g = 200/1000 kg = 0.2 kg
Tips to Remember for Kg to Gram Conversion
One of the biggest challenges students face during kg to gram conversion is to remember whether they have to divide it by 1000 or multiply. Let us consider a few tips that will help students to remember what to do during converting kg to g and vice versa.
Remember the Table of Units of Mass
The first thing you will have to do is to remember the table of the unit of mass in ascending order. It means the smaller units of mass will come first and the bigger ones will come later.
From Bigger Unit to a Smaller Unit
When you are converting a bigger unit of mass to a smaller one, you will have to multiply. Hence, when you are converting kg to g, you will have to multiply the number preceding kg by 1000.
From Smaller to Bigger Units
If you follow the examples of kilograms and grams, you will know that you have to divide the number preceding the unit by 1000. This is what you need to follow for the gram unit to kg converter.
So, this was an elaborate description of the process of converting kg to g. The step-by-step explanation of the examples will be ideal for the students to understand how this unit conversion of mass is done.
FAQs on Kilogram to Gram Conversion: Explained Clearly
1. What is the basic rule for converting kilograms to grams?
The fundamental rule for converting kilograms (kg) to grams (g) is to multiply the kilogram value by 1,000. This is because the prefix 'kilo' means one thousand. Therefore, one kilogram is equivalent to one thousand grams. The formula is: Grams = Kilograms × 1000.
2. How do you convert a value from grams (g) back to kilograms (kg)?
To convert grams (g) to kilograms (kg), you do the opposite of a kg-to-g conversion: you divide the gram value by 1,000. This is because you are converting from a smaller unit to a larger unit. For example, to convert 2,500 grams to kilograms, you would calculate 2500 ÷ 1000 = 2.5 kg.
3. How can I calculate the grams in a fraction of a kilogram, like 0.5 kg or 1/4 kg?
You can calculate the grams in a fraction of a kilogram by applying the same multiplication rule. Simply multiply the fraction or decimal by 1000. For example:
- For 0.5 kg (half a kg): 0.5 × 1000 = 500 grams.
- For 1/4 kg (a quarter of a kg): (1/4) × 1000 = 0.25 × 1000 = 250 grams.
4. What is the real-world difference between mass (measured in kg) and weight?
While often used interchangeably in daily language, mass and weight are different concepts in Physics. Mass is the measure of the amount of matter in an object and is constant regardless of location. Its SI unit is the kilogram (kg). Weight, on the other hand, is the force of gravity acting on that mass (Weight = mass × acceleration due to gravity). It is measured in Newtons (N) and can change depending on your location (e.g., you would weigh less on the Moon).
5. Where do we see the use of kilograms and grams in everyday life?
We use kilograms and grams constantly to measure mass in our daily lives.
- Kilograms (kg) are typically used for heavier items. For example, buying groceries like a 5 kg bag of rice, measuring a person's body weight, or checking the weight of luggage at an airport.
- Grams (g) are used for lighter items requiring more precision. For example, measuring ingredients for a recipe (like 100 g of flour), the weight of jewellery (in grams), or the dosage of medicine.
6. What is the most common mistake students make when converting between kg and g?
The most common mistake is confusing whether to multiply or divide by 1000. A simple way to avoid this is to remember: when converting from a larger unit (kg) to a smaller unit (g), the final number should be bigger, so you must multiply. Conversely, when converting from a smaller unit (g) to a larger unit (kg), the final number should be smaller, so you must divide.
7. Why is the official standard for the kilogram no longer a physical object?
Previously, the kilogram was defined by a physical cylinder made of a platinum-iridium alloy called the 'International Prototype Kilogram'. However, this physical object could lose or gain atoms over time, making it imprecise. In 2019, the definition was updated to be based on the Planck constant, a fundamental constant of nature. This ensures the definition of a kilogram is precise, stable, and can be reproduced anywhere in the world without relying on a single physical artifact.
