what's the difference between weight and mass?
The difference between weight and mass lies in their definitions and the way they are measured.
Mass is a fundamental property of an object that quantifies the amount of matter it contains. It is a measure of the inertia of an object, representing its resistance to acceleration. The mass of an object remains constant regardless of its location in the universe. Mass is measured in units like kilograms (kg) or grams (g).
Weight, on the other hand, is the force exerted on an object due to gravity. It is the gravitational pull acting on the mass of an object. Weight depends on the location of the object and can vary depending on the strength of the gravitational field. Weight is calculated as the product of an object's mass and the acceleration due to gravity. Weight is measured in units like Newtons (N) or pounds (lbs).
To summarize:
- Mass is a measure of the amount of matter an object contains and remains constant regardless of location.
- Weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity and can vary with location.
To find an object's mass, you can use a balance or a scale that measures mass directly. Simply place the object on the scale or balance, and it will give you the mass reading.
To find an object's weight, you need to know its mass and the value of the acceleration due to gravity at that location. The formula to calculate weight is:
Weight = Mass x Acceleration due to gravity
where the acceleration due to gravity on Earth is approximately 9.8 m/s².