Most of the time, mass and weight scientific terms are used interchangeably by the students community but are not so. Mass is all about the matter contained in any object. While weight is how much force of attraction is exerted from the centre of the earth on the object placed.
Mass is a scalar quantity while weight is a vector quantity. Both weight and mass are so common scientific terms we use and experience in our daily activities. Both look similar, but have substantial differences.
What does mass mean?
It is all about the amount of matter contained in object or anything in terms of particles or molecules.
In other words, mass is the property of matter of given object or anything.
In short, how much particles are contained in given matter and theirs measure is termed as the mass.
Generally, we experience various objects, things such as toys, food items, furniture etc. made up of different types and amounts of matter having different types particles contained in.
Importantly, mass is measured in grams and kilograms.
Definition of matter and examples
We used to say that everything around us is made up of matter having molecules and compounds like trees, rocks, tennis ball, chair, water, milk, tea, coffee, balloon, cooking gas, sunlight, etc.
Basically, matter has three types or forms, except plasma and Bose-Einstein condensates. That is solid, liquid, and gases.
These forms of matter are naturally occurring and classified on the basis of intermolecular force of the matter.
In solid, intermolecular force is stronger, weak in liquid, and weaker in gases.
Notably, mass is same everywhere in space whether it is on Moon or Mars.
What does weight mean?
Weight mean we measure amount of force of gravity on the object in question. So, weight is something more than mere mass.
For measuring weight, we take unit of force “Newton”, and to measure mass, grams and kilograms are used.
If the weight is linked with amount of force of gravity, it can’t be same as the mass on different places and planets.
So, weight should be more or less on mountain and ocean floors. It should be different on planets, stars, satellites with varying degrees of force of gravity.
Formula of weight
W = mg ( m = mass; g = force of gravity)
As usually, we multiply amount of mass by 9.8 m/s square to measure weight of an object in any place.
Force of gravity of earth and other planets
Compare to earth, there are other planets whose mass and force of gravity is many times than that of earth like Jupiter.
At the same time, the force of gravity of earth is more than that of the Mars and moon.
Understanding Mass and weight difference
Mass is scalar quantity, whereas weight is vector quantity.
Mass can’t be zero, but weight can.
Mass is same everywhere, on the other hand, weight is more or less depending on the force of gravity.
Grams and kilograms are used for measuring mass, and Newton is the unit to measure weight.
Actually, most of the time all these terms are used mistakenly by fresh learners. Hence, exact and specific understanding about these terms is utmost importance.
Exercise for better understanding of mass and weight
- Find out the force of gravity of sun, planets, and satellites.
- Observe the different types of matter around you and understand the causes behind.
This is all about the concept understanding of weight and mas with formulas and examples.
Useful Solved Questions on mass and weight difference
For better practice and understanding, here are some useful solved questions on this topic.
Q.1. What is mean by mass?
Ans: Mass is a scalar quality as it has magnitude but not direction. It is nothing but the matter contained in a thing is called the the mass of the thing.
Q.2 what does weight mean?
Ans: Weight is a vector quantity as it is directed at the centre of the earth. It is a force exerted by the force of attraction from the centre of the earth on the object placed on the surface.
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