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kiloton
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kiloton

unit of measurement
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Quick Summary

A kiloton is a unit of measurement used in two primary ways:

  1. Mass: It represents 1,000 tons.1
  2. Explosive Force: It signifies an explosive force equivalent to that of 1,000 tons of TNT.1

The prefix "kilo-" in the metric system denotes a multiplier of 1,000. This prefix is also used in other units, such as a kilowatt (1,000 watts) or a kilometer (1,000 meters). The term "kiloton" was first used in 1950.21

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
3 Britannica Sources
  1. kiloton
  2. measurement system - Prefixes and units used in the metric system
  3. ton-kilometer

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