the basic unit of mass in the metric system
http://www.simetric.co.uk/sibasis.htm
The basic unit of mass in the metric system is the gram (g). To understand this, we can break down the metric system and its prefixes.
The metric system is a decimal-based system of measurement that is widely used around the world. It is based on powers of 10, making conversions between units relatively simple.
In the metric system, the gram is the base unit for mass. It is defined as the mass of one cubic centimeter (cm³) of water at its maximum density, which occurs at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius.
To form larger or smaller units of mass, the metric system uses prefixes. Some common prefixes include:
- Kilo (k): 1 kilogram (kg) = 1000 grams
- Milli (m): 1 gram = 1000 milligrams (mg)
- Micro (µ): 1 gram = 1,000,000 micrograms (µg)
So, to convert to larger or smaller units, you can multiply or divide by the appropriate power of 10. For example, to convert grams to kilograms, you divide by 1000, and to convert grams to milligrams, you multiply by 1000.
Overall, the gram is the fundamental unit of mass in the metric system, serving as the basis for all other mass units in the system.