How does weight differ from mass?
Weight changes with gravity while mass does not change.
To understand the difference between weight and mass, we need to look at their definitions and how they are related.
Mass refers to the amount of matter present in an object. It is an intrinsic property and is commonly measured in kilograms (kg). Mass is constant and does not change with location or surrounding conditions. In simple terms, it is a measure of how much "stuff" an object contains.
Weight, on the other hand, is a measure of the gravitational force acting on an object. It depends on the mass of the object and the strength of the gravitational field it is in. Weight is commonly measured in newtons (N) or as a force in pounds (lbs). Weight is not constant and can vary depending on the location of the object.
The formula that relates weight and mass is: Weight = Mass × Gravity
Since gravity is not constant throughout the universe, an object will have different weights on different celestial bodies (such as Earth, the Moon, or Mars). However, an object's mass will remain the same regardless of its location.
In summary, the key difference between weight and mass is that weight is the measure of the force of gravity acting on an object, while mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object and remains constant regardless of the location or surrounding conditions.