Why are there 16 Ounces to a Pound and 2240 (16 x 14) Pounds to make a Ton?

Question

What is the logic or reasoning behind the values selected ?

Answer 1

2240 / 16 = 140

A long ton was used to measure the displacement of a ship.

Sea water weights 64 pounds per cubic foot
2240 /64 = 35 cuFt of sea water ( A nice even number)

As Salt water density changes with concentration and temperature imagine the displacement change of a ship entering freshwater. (fresh water @ 62.4 lbs/cuFt)
Computing for volume of fresh water per ton you will get approimately 35.9 cuFt fresh water per ton.

So if you constructed a box 3ft x 3ft x 4ft it would contain 36 cuft

Now imagine a bunch of dumb sailors like myself counting 35 buckets of sea water.... Imagine loosing count....

So if i filled the box then removed 1 cuFt of sea water I would have 35 cuFt left of exactly one Long Ton 2240 pounds...


Rember a pint a pound the world arround

Answer 2

I think you are confusing a ton with a metric ton. A metric ton is 1000kg, which is about 2204 (no its not a typo, its 2204) pounds. A metric ton is called a tonne, and sometimes a "ton".

The US ton is 2000 pounds, and is thus a bit lighter. For this reason its called a "short ton" or a "net ton", but its also often called a "ton". Its one good reason why to ensure you know what kind of "ton" is being referred to, or use another measure, like kg or pounds.

The even heavier 2240 pound ton you referenced is called a "long ton" or "gross ton".

Try the link below
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001661.html

I think they missed a category, for some reason the weights are in the Capacities and Volumes section. I think they just forgot to add a "Weight" heading. Anyway, the three different tons are mentioned near the end of the page.

Answer 3

When referring to weight: 16 ounces make 1 Pound and 2000 pounds make a ton.

Soo...
16 x 2000 = # of ounces in a ton

Answer 4

2000 lbs = 1 ton

Answer 5

Dude there is only 2000lbs in a ton. Where did you here it was 2240?