Introduction to Mass and Weight
Mass in simple terms is the amount of matter in an object while weight is defined as the force exerted on an object. Mass and weight can have a different form of expression based on numerous additional criteria.
For eg, we can assume that the weight of a ball is zero since it is floating on water. However, the weight is actually not 0 but instead, the property of buoyancy comes into play in this case. This is the reason why weight and mass needs a better understanding
Definition of Mass
Mass is defined as the combination of physical properties of an object and the resistance of the object to acceleration when force is applied.
The mass of an object can also include the total number of electrons protons and neutrons it contains. The Standard unit used to represent Mass in Kilogram and grams
Definition of Weight
Weight is defined as the force exerted on an object due to the gravitational pull.
Interestingly weight is regarded as both scalar and vector quantity. It is called a vector quantity as the gravitational force acts directly on the object. However, it is also a scalar quantity as weight is reliant on the magnitude of the gravitational force to determine its value. The Standard unit used to represent Weight is Newton and Pound
Measurement of Weight
We know that weight is equal to the product of mass and gravitational force applied.
So, W = MG where w is the weight, M is the mass, and G the gravitational force.
Hence, it can also be interpreted as ‘the weight of an object is directly proportional to its mass’.
Relation Between Weight and Mass
Based on Newton’s Second Law of Gravity it can be stated that,
F= ma
So if an object of 1 kg mass falls at an acceleration of 9.8 m s-2, then
F= 1 kg X 9.8 m s-2 = 9.8 N
Thus, an object of 1 kg mass will weigh 9.8 Newton
Understanding Weightlessness
While taking off during a flight or going up in an elevator, we feel a sense of weightlessness. However, it is a misconception that our weight reduces during that short span. The correct term used to interpret the situation is called “Effective Weight”.
This occurs because the floor exerts an equal and opposite amount of force on your body despite the presence of acceleration. Hence effective weight in this condition becomes