The Difference Between Mass and Weight Explained
Introduction
In class 9th, students learn about the fundamental concepts of physics. Two such concepts are mass and weight. Although these terms are often used interchangeably in everyday language, in physics, they have distinct meanings. Let us understand the difference between mass and weight.
What is Mass?
Mass is the amount of matter in an object. It is a scalar quantity, which means that it has only magnitude and no direction. The SI unit of mass is kilograms (kg). Mass is a fundamental property of matter and does not change with the object’s location or surroundings. For example, the mass of an object on Earth will remain the same if it is taken to the moon or any other place in the universe.
What is Weight?
Weight is the force with which an object is attracted towards the Earth’s center due to gravity. It is a vector quantity, which means it has both magnitude and direction. The SI unit of weight is newton (N). Weight is influenced by gravity and changes with the object’s location or surroundings. For example, an object that weighs 100 N on Earth will weigh less on the moon due to the moon’s weaker gravitational force.
The Relationship Between Mass and Weight
The relationship between mass and weight can be described by the equation F = m x g, where F represents the force of gravity or weight, m represents the mass of the object, and g represents the acceleration due to gravity. The value of g is approximately 9.8 m/s² on the surface of the earth.
Conclusion
In summary, mass is the amount of matter in an object, while weight is the force with which an object is attracted towards the Earth’s center due to gravity. Mass is a fundamental property of matter and does not change with the object’s location, while weight is influenced by gravity and changes with the object’s location or surroundings. It is important to understand the difference between mass and weight to comprehend fundamental physics concepts accurately.
Table difference between mass and weight class 9th
| Mass | Weight |
|---|---|
| Mass is the amount of matter in an object. | Weight is the force with which an object is attracted towards the center of the earth due to gravity. |
| It is a scalar quantity and is measured in kilograms (kg). | It is a vector quantity and is measured in newtons (N). |
| Mass remains constant and doesn’t change with the change in location. | Weight varies according to the gravity of the location. For example, weight will be less on the moon as compared to the earth due to less gravity. |
| It is independent of external factors like gravity, air resistance, etc. | It is affected by external factors like gravity, air resistance, etc. |