Weight vs Mass – Difference Between Weight and Mass
What is the difference between mass and weight? Most of us would just shrug off this question as being pointless. Both of these terms are so frequently said/used in place of one another that it is easy for one to be ignorant of the dissimilarity here. Weight is a measurement of how the force of gravity acts that upon the object. And mass is an amount of matter in the object.
Well, an endless article may be an overstatement, but you get the idea. To keep this discussion short and engaging a good overview regarding how are mass and weight different should sufficiently clarify any ambiguity. As we don’t want to bore you with mundane details, all the while teaching you something of significance.
However, before venturing forth, we would like you to familiarize yourself with the following information: Weight=mass x gravity; gravity-Earth=10m/s2; gravity-moon=1.6m/s2
Definition of Weight – So What Is Weight?
Weight is defined as the force exerted on an entity as a result of gravity. So, for example, when you have a pencil in your hand, you can feel a type of pull towards the earth (or the ground). What you feel is what we have described as an exertion on a body. It may not be much considering that a pencil is quite small. But if you hold a shot put ball, the pull is greater, and that is because it has more weight.
There are two major quantities that influence how much an object weighs, they are mass and gravity. From them, one can derive how heavy a body is. The formula is
W = m X g
Where
- W is weight
- M is mass
- G is gravity
The SI unit is N (Newton), and it has both magnitude and direction, which makes it a vector quantity. In comparing weight vs mass, one may see these two as the same, which is true in some cases. However, in other cases, they cannot be said to be the same given the gravity of the location in question.
Definition of Mass – So What Is Mass?
Weight is defined as the force exerted on an entity as a result of gravity. So, for example, when you have a pencil in your hand, you can feel a type of pull towards the earth (or the ground).
What you feel is what we have described as an exertion on a body. It may not be much considering that a pencil is quite small. But if you hold a shot put ball, the pull is greater, and that is because it has more weight.
There are two major quantities that influence how much an object weighs, they are mass and gravity. From them, one can derive how heavy a body is. The formula is
W = m X g
Where
- W is weight
- M is mass
- G is gravity
The SI unit is N (Newton), and it has both magnitude and direction, which makes it a vector quantity. In comparing weight vs mass, one may see these two as the same, which is true in some cases. However, in other cases, they cannot be said to be the same given the gravity of the location in question.
What Is the Main Difference Between Weight and Mass?
| Basis of Comparison | Mass | Weight |
| Mean | Fixed-amount of substance/matter | Force resulting from interaction of attractive fields |
| SI Unit | Kg | N |
| Type | Scalar/directionless | Vector/direction-dependent |
| Eternal | Yes | No |
| Formula | Yes; m=W/g | Yes; W=m.g |
| Sign | Always positive and never 0 | Maybe positive or negative depending on direction; may also be 0 |
| How is it measured | Comparative analysis via materials of known mass; beam-balance | Newton-scale, spring-balance, etc. |
So What’s the Difference Between Weight and Mass? – Conclusion
This brief discussion should provide satisfactory answers to some queries regarding what is the difference between weight and mass. The best way to highlight the distinction between the two is through our previously given formula; Weight=mass x gravity.
This signifies two major points; the directly proportional relation between mass vs weight and how a physical-quantity may be derived from a basic-quantity. The distinction though interestingly subtle, hardly affects our practical lives. The ignorant is likely to continue using the two without any change.
However, for those with lingering curiosity, further review of literature is recommended, as this is an interesting discussion indeed. Modern Classical physics is a very interesting pick for you to expand your understanding.
