Measure Up: The Mass Edition Trivia Quiz

The grain (gr) is a unit of mass equal to 64.79891 milligrams. It is derived from the mass of a single grain of barley, which was traditionally considered to be the average mass of a grain of cereal. The grain was historically the smallest unit of weight in the English-speaking world and has roots dating back to the Bronze Age. Its use can be seen in various ancient civilisations where grains of wheat and barley were used as units of mass due to their consistency in size.

The word "grain" comes from the Latin "granum", meaning seed or kernel. This small unit of mass was crucial in the Middle Ages and early modern period, particularly in the fields of pharmacy and jewellery, where precise measurements were required. Even today, the grain is still used to measure the mass of bullets and gunpowder in the United States and the United Kingdom, demonstrating its continued relevance in certain industries despite the widespread adoption of the metric system.

The carat (ct) is a unit of mass used primarily for measuring gemstones and pearls, with one carat equal to 200 milligrams (0.2 grams). The name "carat" is derived from the carob seeds, which were used historically as counterweights on precision scales because of their uniform weight. The carat was standardised by the Fourth General Conference on Weights and Measures in 1907, providing a uniform standard that facilitated international trade in gemstones.

The carat originated in ancient Greece, where the term "kerįtion" was used to describe carob seeds. The practice spread throughout Europe and the Middle East, cementing its place in the gem trade. Today, the carat remains an essential unit of measurement in the jewellery industry, particularly for diamonds. It allows gemstones to be valued accurately, with even small differences in carat weight having a significant impact on the value of a stone.

The gram (g) is a unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI), originally defined as the mass of one cubic centimetre of water at 4°C, the temperature of its maximum density. The gram is a fundamental unit of mass in the metric system, and it has become a standard for measuring small amounts of material. It is widely used in science, industry and everyday life for a variety of measurements.

The term "gram" comes from the late Latin "gramma", meaning a small weight. The metric system, including the gram, was developed during the French Revolution to standardise measurements and replace the many local systems in use at the time. Today, the gram is ubiquitous in scientific and commercial contexts, from weighing ingredients in cooking to measuring chemicals in laboratories.

The dram (dr) is a unit of mass historically used in both the apothecary system and the avoirdupois system. It is equal to 1/16 of an ounce, or about 1.77185 grams. The term "dram" comes from the Greek word "drachmē", which referred to an ancient Greek coin and unit of weight.

The dram was historically important in pharmacy for measuring out small quantities of medicines. In the British imperial system, the dram was part of the avoirdupois system of weights and measures used in trade and commerce. Today, the dram is largely obsolete in everyday use, but survives in specific contexts such as the measurement of gunpowder and whisky servings, often referred to as "drams" in Scottish culture.

The ounce (oz) is a unit of mass used in both the British Imperial and United States Customary systems, and is equal to approximately 28.3495 grams. The term "ounce" is derived from the Latin "uncia", meaning one-twelfth, as it was originally one-twelfth of a Roman pound. This unit has a long history, having been used by the Romans and later adopted by various European measurement systems.

The ounce is still widely used today, particularly in the United States, for measuring packaged food, postal items and precious metals. There are different types of ounce, including the avoirdupois ounce, used for general purposes, and the troy ounce, used specifically for precious metals such as gold and silver, which is approximately 31.1035 grams. The continued use of the ounce in these contexts demonstrates its enduring relevance in both everyday and specialised applications.

The pound (lb) is a unit of mass used in the British Imperial and United States Customary systems, equal to 453.592 grams. The term "pound" comes from the Latin "libra", a Roman unit of weight, and has been a standard measure of mass in English-speaking countries for centuries.

The pound has a rich history, with roots in Roman and medieval English systems. It has been used to measure everything from produce to precious metals. Today, the pound is still widely used in the United States and the United Kingdom to measure body weight, food and general mass. Despite the adoption of the metric system in many parts of the world, the pound remains an important unit of measurement in these regions.

The kilogram (kg) is the fundamental unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI) and was originally defined as the mass of one litre of water. Since 2019, it is defined by the Planck constant, where 1 kg is exactly 6.62607015×10⁻³⁴ Js. This redefinition was part of an effort to base all SI units on fundamental physical constants rather than physical artefacts.

The kilogram has its roots in the French Revolution, where the need for a uniform and universal system of measurement led to the creation of the metric system. The term "kilogram" comes from the French "kilogramme", which in turn comes from the Greek "kilo-" meaning thousand and "gramma" meaning small weight. The kilogram is widely used in science, industry and commerce and provides a consistent and reliable standard for measuring mass.

The stone (st) is a British Imperial unit of mass equal to 14 pounds or approximately 6.35029 kilograms. The term "stone" has Anglo-Saxon origins, as stones were used as weights for trade in ancient times. Different regions had different values for the stone, which often varied according to the commodity being weighed.

In medieval England, the stone was commonly used to measure agricultural produce and livestock. Today it is mainly used in the UK and Ireland to measure body weight, although its use is largely informal. Despite metrication, the stone remains a popular unit in these regions, often preferred to the kilogram for body weight in everyday contexts.

The quarter (qr) is a unit of mass equal to 1/4 of a hundredweight, or approximately 12.7006 kilograms. The term "quarter" derives from the fact that it is a quarter of a larger unit, reflecting the practice of dividing weights into manageable parts for trade and commerce.

Historically, the quarter was used in British agriculture to measure grain and other commodities. It provided a standardised measure that facilitated trade and taxation. Although the quarter has largely fallen out of use with the introduction of the metric system, it remains part of the imperial system and is occasionally referenced in historical contexts and specific industries.

The hundredweight (cwt) is a unit of mass with two main definitions: the US hundredweight, which is roughly equivalent to 45.3592 kilograms, and the British hundredweight, which is roughly equivalent to 50.8023 kilograms. The term "hundredweight" comes from the fact that it is roughly equivalent to 100 pounds.

Historically, the hundredweight was widely used in British and American trade to measure bulk goods such as coal, grain and other commodities. The British hundredweight, also known as the long hundredweight, and the US hundredweight, or short hundredweight, are still in use today in certain industries. The hundredweight is still important in shipping, freight and agriculture, particularly in countries that follow the British Imperial or US Customary systems.

The metric ton (t) or tonne is a unit of mass equal to 1,000 kilograms or approximately 2,204.62 pounds. The term "ton" is derived from the French "tonne", which means a large barrel. The metric tonne is a basic unit in the metric system used worldwide to measure large quantities of material.

The development of the metric system during the French Revolution included the establishment of the tonne as the standard unit of mass for trade and industry. Today, the metric ton is widely used in industries such as shipping, freight and international trade. It provides a consistent and easily convertible unit for measuring and comparing large quantities, making it indispensable in global trade.

The long ton, also known as the imperial ton, is a unit of mass used in the British imperial system, equal to 2,240 pounds or approximately 1,016.05 kilograms.

Historically, the long ton was used in the UK to measure coal and other bulk commodities. It played an important role in trade and industry, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the long ton is still used in shipping and maritime industries in countries that follow the British imperial system. It remains relevant in specific contexts, such as ocean freight, where accurate measurement of cargo is essential.