Mass vs Weight
Science · Forces & Motion · conceptual
Distinguish between mass (amount of matter, measured in kg) and weight (gravitational force, measured in N), use the equation weight = mass × gravitational field strength, and explain why g differs on other planets and stars
What mastery looks like
- Explains the difference between mass and weight with correct units for each
- Calculates weight using W = mg with g = 10 N/kg on Earth
- Predicts what would happen to an object's weight on the Moon or Jupiter
- Explains why mass stays constant but weight changes in different gravitational fields
Check your understanding
If Mass vs Weight weighed themselves on bathroom scales and was then asked what they would weigh on the Moon, could they explain the difference between mass and weight and work out a rough answer?
Prerequisites
Required first