Convert Ton (Assay) (UK) (AT (UK)) to Picogram (pg) instantly.
About these units
Ton (Assay) (UK) (AT (UK))
The UK assay ton, slightly different from the US version, is defined as 32.666 grams. Like its American counterpart, it was designed so that milligram-level assay results could be easily interpreted as ounces of metal per ton of ore. In British mining operations of the 19th and early 20th centuries, the UK assay ton streamlined economic decision-making by directly correlating lab-scale measurements with bulk extraction expectations. Although now historical, its existence illustrates how different countries tailored their measurement systems to local mining economics and metal markets.
Picogram (pg)
A picogram, or 10⁻¹² grams, is widely used in molecular biology, biochemistry, and medicine. Hormones, signaling molecules, and certain viruses fall within the picogram mass range. Laboratories often quantify DNA or RNA using picograms, especially in single-cell analysis. Cellular processes frequently involve minuscule quantities of molecules, so picogram measurements allow researchers to study gene expression, protein synthesis, and chemical reactions with extreme accuracy. Diagnostic tests—such as those for biomarkers in blood—often require detection at picogram per milliliter concentrations. The picogram is a crucial bridge between the molecular scale and measurable laboratory practice, enabling breakthroughs in medical diagnostics and biotechnology.