Ton
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Definition
Three distinct units: the short ton (US) = 2,000 lb (907.185 kg); the long ton (UK) = 2,240 lb (1,016.05 kg); the metric tonne = 1,000 kg (2,204.62 lb).
Explanation
The metric tonne (t) is the international standard and is approximately 10% heavier than a US short ton. Cargo shipping uses metric tonnes; US coal and grain trade uses short tons; UK steel production historically used long tons. A compact car weighs roughly 1.3–1.5 metric tonnes. The word 'ton' without qualification almost always means short ton in US contexts and metric tonne in scientific contexts.
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