Mass vs Weight — Difference (with Table & FAQs)
Mass and weight are often confused in everyday language, but in physics they represent entirely different properties. This distinction is vital for CBSE Cl
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TL;DR: Mass and weight are often confused in everyday language, but in physics they represent entirely different properties. This distinction is vital for CB…
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The main difference between Mass and Weight: Mass and weight are often confused in everyday language, but in physics they represent entirely different properties. This distinction is vital for CBSE Cl
Mass vs Weight — Comparison Table
| Basis | Mass | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Amount of matter in an object | Force exerted by gravity on mass |
| Nature | Scalar quantity | Vector quantity |
| SI Unit | Kilogram (kg) | Newton (N) |
| Dependence | Does not depend on location | Depends on gravity (g = 9.8 m/s²) |
| Measurement | Balance scale | Spring scale |
Key Points
- Mass is intrinsic and constant; weight varies with gravitational field strength
- An astronaut has same mass on Earth and Moon, but different weight
- Weight = Mass × Gravitational acceleration (W = mg)
- Mass never changes; weight changes on different planets and altitudes