Mass is the amount of matter in an object, while weight is the force of gravity acting on that mass. Mass is a constant value, while weight can change depending on the gravitational pull of the planet or celestial body.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Mass:
The amount of matter in an object.
Measured in kilograms (kg).
A scalar quantity (has magnitude only).
Constant regardless of location.
Weight:
The force of gravity acting on an object.
Measured in Newtons (N).
A vector quantity (has both magnitude and direction).
Varies depending on the gravitational pull.
In simpler terms:
Imagine you have a rock. Its mass is the amount of “stuff” in the rock, which will always be the same, no matter where you are.
However, the rock’s weight, which is the force of gravity pulling on it, will be different on Earth (stronger gravity) and on the Moon (weaker gravity).
Relationship between mass and weight:
Weight is calculated using the formula: Weight = mass x acceleration due to gravity (g).