Difference Between Weight and Mass

These are often confused, and this reading explores the difference between weight and mass.


Mass and weight are two concepts that are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Mass refers to the amount of matter that an object contains, while weight is a measure of the force exerted on an object by gravity.

The fundamental difference between mass and weight is that mass is an intrinsic property of an object that remains constant no matter where the object is located, while weight depends on the location of the object and the strength of the gravitational field at that location.

dog in space

For example, the mass of a brick, or your dog, is the same whether it is on Earth or in space, but its weight will be different because the strength of the gravitational field is different in those two locations.

Another way to think about the difference between mass and weight is to consider the units used to measure them. Mass is typically measured in kilograms (or grams), while weight is measured in newtons (or pounds). The conversion between these units depends on the strength of the gravitational field at the location where the measurement is being made.

It is important to note that mass and weight are related by the formula W=mg, where W is the weight of an object, m is its mass, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. This formula shows that weight is proportional to mass, but it also shows that weight depends on the strength of the gravitational field.

Remember mass and weight are two different concepts that are often confused. Mass is an intrinsic property of an object that remains constant no matter where the object is located, while weight depends on the location of the object and the strength of the gravitational field at that location.

From Lesson: Mass, Weight, and Volume

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From Learning Gig: The Basics of Measurement Systems

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