Convert Atomic Mass Unit (u) to Teragram (Tg) instantly.
About these units
Atomic Mass Unit (u)
The atomic mass unit (u) is defined as exactly 1/12 the mass of a neutral carbon-12 atom, which makes it approximately 1.66053906660 × 10⁻²⁷ kilograms. This definition allows scientists to express atomic and molecular masses in a convenient, intuitive scale that aligns with the structure of the periodic table. By anchoring the unit to carbon-12, chemists and physicists gained a universal reference point that harmonizes molecular weight, relative isotopic abundance, and mass spectroscopy results. The atomic mass unit effectively normalizes the complexity of atomic masses into whole-number or near-whole-number values for most nuclei. In chemistry, u is indispensable for calculating molar masses, reaction stoichiometry, and isotopic compositions. It is also used across nuclear physics, astrophysics, and biophysics, demonstrating the universality of atomic-scale measurement.
Teragram (Tg)
A teragram equals 1,000 gigagrams, or 10⁹ kilograms. It is widely used in climatology, atmospheric science, and ecology to describe the mass of carbon, nitrogen, methane, or other substances exchanged annually between Earth's systems. For example, global carbon fluxes—movement of carbon between oceans, atmosphere, and biosphere—are typically measured in teragrams. Volcanoes, wildfires, and anthropogenic emissions often release substances on this scale. Tg-level measurements give researchers insight into the stability, sustainability, and long-term trends of Earth's ecosystems.