Difference Between Mass and Weight – Physics Theory Study

mass vs weight entranciology difference

 

Mass: The amount of matter present in a body is called its mass. It is an intrinsic property of the body and always remains constant wherever the body is placed. Mass of a body is measured in Kg, gm etc. Mass is measured by using a pan balance.

Weight: Weight is a measurement of how strongly the gravity pulls on a body. We can calculate weight of the body by multiplying its mass by acceleration due to gravity.

According to Newton’s second law

Force (F)  = m x a

(where m = mass , a = acceleration)

Like this,

Weight (N) (W) = m X g

(where N= Newton, W= Weight, m = mass in kg, g = acceleration due to gravity)

Weight is measured in Newton. The equation above clears that the weight of the body differs by place.  Weight is measured by using spring balance.

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Note: The Methods for measuring mass and weight may be interchanged if gravity is known and same, as it is on earth.

 

pan balance entranciology

Pan Balance

                                                                                  spring balance entranciology

Spring Balance

Example:

Gravity of the place decides the weight of an object.

Eg., there is an object of mass 600 kgs, and gravity on the earth is 10 m/s2  (Actual is 9.8 m/s2). Then its weight would be 6000N, but if we place this object on the moon where gravity is 1/6th of the earth, its weight would be 1000N.

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This example proves that mass of an object is always constant, but weight not.

Industrial References: the net weight of packaging of retail items actually refers to mass and is properly expressed in pounds (U.S.) or Kgs. Conversely, the load index rating on automobile tires, which specifies the maximum structural load for a tire in Kgs, refers to weight; that is, the force due to gravity.

Comparison of weights of an object with same mass on different planets and moon:-

 Location  Weight Comparison  Location  Weight Comparison

Weight on Mercury

0.378 Weight on Jupiter

2.36

Weight on Venus

0.907 Weight on Saturn

0.916

Weight on Earth

1.00 Weight on Uranus 0.889
Weight on Moon 0.166 Weight on Neptune

1.12

Weight on Mars 0.377 Weight on Pluto

0.071

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