Convert Carat (car, ct) to Planck Mass (mₕ) instantly.
About these units
Carat (car, ct)
The carat, equal to 200 milligrams, is the standard unit for measuring gemstones and pearls. Its origins trace to the seeds of the carob tree, which were historically thought to have remarkably uniform mass, making them convenient reference weights for early traders. In the modern gem trade, carats measure both weight and (informally) influence perceived value—though size and quality factors such as clarity and color also play major roles. High-precision digital scales capable of reading to 0.001 carat are common in gemology. The carat's persistence shows how specialized units evolve to meet the needs of niche industries. Though small, its economic impact is enormous due to the value of gemstones.
Planck Mass (mₕ)
The Planck mass, approximately 2.176434 × 10⁻⁸ kilograms, occupies a unique position in theoretical physics. Unlike particle masses, it is derived entirely from fundamental constants—Planck's constant, Newton's gravitational constant, and the speed of light. The Planck mass represents a mass scale where quantum mechanical and gravitational effects become comparable. Although enormous relative to subatomic particles (roughly the mass of a dust grain), it is considered "natural" in that it emerges from pure physics rather than empirical observation. In theoretical studies of black holes, quantum gravity, string theory, and early-universe cosmology, the Planck mass marks a boundary beyond which existing models require unification. It is a conceptual rather than practical unit, yet it provides a profound insight into the structure of physical law.