We often use pounds or kilograms as the units of measurement. However, there are some things that are so massive that they need to be measured in tons.
In this article, I will take a closer look at the things that are measured in tons, their significance, and their relevance to our daily lives.
What is a Ton?
A ton is a unit of weight that is equal to 2,000 pounds. It is used to measure the weight of heavy objects that cannot be measured in smaller units.Â
There are three types of tons: short ton, metric ton, and long ton. Each type of ton is used in different parts of the world, depending on the country’s preference and customary system of measurement.
Types of Tons
Short Ton
A short ton is the most common type of ton used in the United States. It is equal to 2,000 pounds or 907.185 kilograms.
Metric Ton
A metric ton, also known as a tonne, is the standard unit of weight used in most countries. It is equal to 1,000 kilograms or 2,204.62 pounds.
Long Ton
A long ton, also known as a British ton, is used in the United Kingdom and some other parts of the world. It is equal to 2,240 pounds or 1,016.047 kilograms.
Things That Measured in Tuns
Here are some brief introductions and estimated weights in tons for some large animals:
Large Animals
- African Elephant
The African elephant is the largest land animal in the world, with males weighing up to 6 tons and females weighing up to 3 tons.
- Hippopotamus
The hippopotamus is a large, semi-aquatic mammal that can weigh up to 4 tons.
- Giraffe
The giraffe is the tallest land animal in the world, with males weighing up to 1.2 tons and females weighing up to 0.8 tons.
- Polar bear
The polar bear is the largest bear species and can weigh up to 1.5 tons.
- Rhino
There are two species of rhinos, the white and the black rhino. White rhinos can weigh up to 2.3 tons, while black rhinos can weigh up to 1.4 tons.
Spacecraft
Here are some brief introductions and estimated weights in tons for various spacecraft:
- Apollo Spacecraft
The Apollo spacecraft was designed to take astronauts to the moon and back during the Apollo missions. The Apollo command module weighed about 12.8 tons.
- Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a reusable spacecraft used by NASA to carry astronauts and payloads into space. The orbiter weighed about 68.9 tons.
- Hubble Space Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope is a large, space-based observatory that has captured some of the most detailed images of the universe. It weighs about 11.1 tons.
- Mars Rover
Several Mars rovers have been sent to explore the planet, such as the Curiosity rover, which weighs about 1 ton.
- Voyager Spacecraft
The Voyager spacecraft are a pair of robotic probes launched in 1977 to explore the outer Solar System. Each Voyager probe weighs about 0.8 tons.
Cars and Trucks
Here are some brief introductions and estimated weights in tons for various cars and trucks:
- Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 is a popular pickup truck in the United States and weighs around 2.5 to 3.5 tons, depending on the model and configuration.
- Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is another popular pickup truck and weighs around 2.5 to 3.5 tons, depending on the model and configuration.
- Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mid-size sedan that weighs around 1.5 tons.
- Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a compact car that weighs around 1.3 tons.
- Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S is an electric luxury sedan that weighs around 2.1 to 2.5 tons, depending on the battery and configuration.
Military Equipment
Here are some brief introductions and estimated weights in tons for various military equipment:
- Tank
Tanks are armored combat vehicles that are designed for front-line combat. Depending on the model and type, tanks can weigh anywhere from 40 to 70 tons or more.
- Aircraft Carrier
Aircraft carriers are large warships that are designed to carry and deploy fighter jets and other aircraft. They can weigh up to 100,000 tons or more.
- Fighter Jet
Fighter jets are high-performance military aircraft that are designed for air-to-air combat. Depending on the model and type, they can weigh anywhere from 5 to 30 tons.
- Submarine
Submarines are underwater vessels that are used for a variety of military purposes. Depending on the type and class, submarines can weigh anywhere from 1,000 to 20,000 tons or more.
- Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
APCs are heavily armored vehicles that are designed to transport troops into and out of combat zones. Depending on the model and type, they can weigh anywhere from 10 to 25 tons or more.
Dirt, Sand, and Gravel
Here are some estimated weights in tons for various quantities of dirt, sand, and gravel:
- One Cubic Yard of Dirt
A cubic yard of dirt weighs approximately 0.8 to 1.2 tons, depending on the type of dirt and its moisture content.
- One Ton of Sand
A ton of sand weighs approximately 1.4 to 1.7 tons, depending on the type of sand and its moisture content.
- One Cubic Yard of Sand
A cubic yard of sand weighs approximately 1.2 to 1.7 tons, depending on the type of sand and its moisture content.
- One Ton of Gravel
A ton of gravel weighs approximately 1.2 to 1.7 tons, depending on the type of gravel and its moisture content.
- One Cubic Yard of Gravel
A cubic yard of gravel weighs approximately 1.2 to 1.7 tons, depending on the type of gravel and its moisture content.
Natural Resources
Here are some brief introductions and estimated weights in tons for various natural resources:
- Crude Oil
Crude oil is a fossil fuel that is extracted from underground reservoirs. A barrel of crude oil weighs approximately 0.136 tons.
- Coal
Coal is a fossil fuel that is mined from underground deposits. Depending on the type of coal, it can weigh anywhere from 0.5 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard.
- Iron Ore
Iron ore is a mineral that is mined from the earth’s crust and is the primary source of iron. Depending on the grade and type of ore, it can weigh anywhere from 1.5 to 3.5 tons per cubic yard.
- Natural Gas
Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is primarily composed of methane and is extracted from underground reservoirs. A cubic foot of natural gas weighs approximately 0.00006 tons.
- Timber
Timber is wood that is harvested from forests and used for a variety of purposes. Depending on the species and size of the tree, timber can weigh anywhere from 0.5 to 2 tons per cubic yard.
Related: How Many Bushels of Corn Are in a Ton?
FAQs
What items are measured in tons?
There are a variety of items that can be measured in tons, including heavy machinery, large vehicles, industrial equipment, natural resources, and even some buildings and structures.
Is water measured in tons?
Water can be measured in tons, but it depends on the context. For example, a ton of water is equivalent to 1,000 liters or 264 gallons. However, water is more commonly measured in other units such as liters, gallons, or cubic meters.
What are the types of ton?
There are several types of tons used in different contexts:
Short ton: equal to 2,000 pounds or 0.907 metric tons
Long ton: equal to 2,240 pounds or 1.016 metric tons
Metric ton (also known as tonne): equal to 1,000 kilograms or 2,204.62 pounds
What is measured in metric tons?
Metric tons, also known as tonnes, are commonly used to measure large quantities of materials and commodities, such as:
Metals like iron, steel, and copper
Agricultural products like wheat, rice, and soybeans
Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas
Chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides
Is mass measured in tons?
Yes, mass can be measured in tons. Tons are a unit of mass, and they can be used to measure the weight or heaviness of an object. However, mass is more commonly measured in other units such as grams, kilograms, or pounds.