Prior to the current definition, the kilogram was defined as being equal to the mass of a physical prototype, a cylinder made of a platinum-iridium alloy, which was an imperfect measure. The kilogram was originally defined as the mass of one liter of water at its freezing point in 1794, but was eventually re-defined, since measuring the mass of a volume of water was imprecise and cumbersome.Ī new definition of the kilogram was introduced in 2019 based on Planck's constant and changes to the definition of the second. This is at least in part due to the inconsistencies and lack of coherence that can arise through use of centimeter-gram-second systems, such as those between the systems of electrostatic and electromagnetic units. SI is a system based on the meter-kilogram-second system of units rather than a centimeter-gram-second system. Unlike the other SI base units, the kilogram is the only SI base unit with an SI prefix. History/origin: The name kilogram was derived from the French 'kilogramme,' which in turn came from adding Greek terminology meaning 'a thousand,' before the Late Latin term 'gramma' meaning 'a small weight.' The changes were intended to improve the definitions of SI base units, not to actually change how the units are used throughout the world. Even though the definition of the kilogram was changed in 2019, the actual size of the unit remained the same. The meter and the second are defined in terms of c, the speed of light, and cesium frequency, Δ νCs.

It is currently defined based on the fixed numerical value of the Planck constant, h, which is equal to 6.62607015 × 10 -34 in the units of J Definition: A kilogram (symbol: kg) is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI).

Weight conversion chart kg to stone