Convert Ton (Assay) (US) (AT (US)) to Picogram (pg) instantly.
About these units
Ton (Assay) (US) (AT (US))
The US assay ton is a specialized unit used in mining and metallurgy for evaluating ore grades. It is defined as 29.166⅔ grams, a very small mass chosen to simplify calculations relating assay results to tons of ore. The idea is that if an assay ton of sample yields 1 milligram of precious metal, then one actual ton of ore contains 1 ounce of that metal. This scaling makes laboratory results directly translatable to mining yields. While obsolete in modern industrial practice, where metric units dominate, the assay ton remains important in historical mining records and for researchers studying early industrial metallurgy.
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.