How Are Weight and Mass Different?

Mass versus Weight

How are weight and mass different?

To understand the differences we need to compare a few points:

Mass Weight Mass is a measurement of the Weight is the measurement of the amount of matter something contains pull of gravity on an object. Mass is measured by using a balance Weight is measured on a scale. comparing a known amount of matter to an unknown amount of matter. Mass is measured in grams Weight is measured in Newtons The Mass of an object doesn't Weight, on the other hand does change when an object's location change with location. changes.

Mass vs. Weight The force of gravity is a source of much confusion to many students of physics. The mass of an object refers to the amount of matter that is contained by the object; the weight of an object is the force of gravity acting upon that object. Mass is related to "how much stuff is there" and weight is related to the pull of the Earth (or any other planet) upon that stuff.

The mass of an object (measured in grams or kilograms) will be the same no matter where in the universe that object is located. Mass is never altered by location, the pull of gravity, speed or even the existence of other forces. For example, a 2-kg object will have a mass of 2 kg whether it is located on Earth, on the moon, or on Jupiter; its mass will be 2 kg whether it is moving or not; and its mass will be 2 kg whether it is being pushed or not.

On the other hand, the weight of an object (measured in Newtons) will vary according to where in the universe the object is. Weight depends upon which planet is exerting the force and the distance the object is from the planet.