Convert kilograms to slugs in seconds.
1 kg x 0.0685218 = 0.0685218 slug
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Ever wondered how rocket scientists calculate thrust or why your physics textbook mentions slugs alongside kilograms? Slugs might sound like slimy garden pests, but they’re actually a key unit in imperial mass measurements. If you’re working on engineering projects, aerospace equations, or just curious about quirky units, our kilograms to slugs converter is here to simplify things. Let’s break down why these units matter and how to switch between them without breaking a sweat.
Unit definitions
What is a kilogram (kg)?
- Description: The kilogram is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI).
- Symbol: kg
- Common uses: Used globally for everyday weight measurements, science, and commerce.
- Definition: officially defined by the Planck constant since 2019, 1 kg is equivalent to the mass of 1 liter of water at 4°C.
What is a slug (slug)?
- Description: A slug is a unit of mass in the imperial system, primarily used in US engineering.
- Symbol: slug
- Common uses: Calculating force in systems using pounds (e.g., F = ma in imperial units).
- Definition: 1 slug equals the mass accelerated at 1 ft/s² by 1 pound-force. Mathematically, 1 slug = 1 lbf·s²/ft.
Conversion formula
To convert kilograms to slugs, use this formula:
Slugs = Kilograms × 0.0685218
For example, to convert 75 kg to slugs:
75 kg × 0.0685218 ≈ 5.1391 slugs
To go the other way:
Kilograms = Slugs ÷ 0.0685218
Converting 3 slugs to kg?
3 ÷ 0.0685218 ≈ 43.7817 kg
Conversion tables
Kilograms to slugs
| Kilograms | Slugs |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0685 |
| 2 | 0.1370 |
| 5 | 0.3426 |
| 10 | 0.6852 |
| 20 | 1.3704 |
| 50 | 3.4261 |
| 100 | 6.8522 |
Slugs to kilograms
| Slugs | Kilograms |
|---|---|
| 1 | 14.5939 |
| 2 | 29.1878 |
| 5 | 72.9695 |
| 10 | 145.939 |
| 20 | 291.878 |
| 50 | 729.695 |
| 100 | 1459.39 |
Historical context
The kilograms story starts in 18th-century France, where scientists sought a “grave' (original name) as part of the metric system. It was redefined multiple times , from a platinum cylinder to today’s Planck constant standard.
Slugs, on the other hand, emerged from the British Imperial system’s need to reconcile force and mass. The term “slug” first appeared in early 20th-century textbooks, but it wasn’t standardized until the 1940s. Fun fact: Some engineers initially called it a “geepound” (from “gravity” and “pound”), but “slug” stuck because, well, its easier to say.
Interesting facts...
- Not a speed demon: A slug’s name comes from “sluggish mass”, a play on its role in slow acceleration calculations.
- Global divide: Most countries use kilograms, but the US still teaches slugs in advanced physics courses.
- Space age relic: NASA used slugs in early rocket designs but switched to metric units in the 1990s.
- 1 slug = 32.174 lb: This exact conversion links imperial force (pound-force) to mass.
- Kitchen confusion: Don’t mix up slugs with snails. One’s for equations, the other for garlic butter.
FAQ
Slugs are used in engineering fields, especially in the US, to measure mass in imperial systems. Converting kg to slugs helps in physics calculations involving force.
No relation! The unit ‘slug’ comes from ‘sluggish mass’ in old English mechanics. The animal’s name has different origins.
1 kilogram equals approximately 0.0685218 slugs. Use our converter above for precise results.
You’ll mostly see slugs in aerospace and mechanical engineering contexts. For daily use, pounds or kilograms are simpler.
Yes. 1 slug equals 32.174 pounds-mass (lbm). This links force (pound-force) to mass in imperial calculations.