Mass and Weight Difference

Introduction to mass and weight difference:
WEIGHT :The earth attracts every object with a certain force and this force depends on the mass [m] of the object and the acceleration due to the gravity [g]. The weight of an object is the force with which it is attracted towards the earth. As we know,

                                     F   =  m  x a        or

                                     F  = m  x g

The force of attraction of the earth on an object is known as weight of the object. It is denoted by W. Substituting the same in above equation, we have,

                                     W = m x g

As the weight of an object is the force with which it is attracted towards earth, the SI unit of weight is same as that of force, that is , Newton [ N]. The weight is the force acting vertically downwards; it has both magnitude and direction. The value of g is constant  at a given place. Therefore at a given place, the weight of an object is directly proportional to the mass.



MASS :There is a resistance offered by an object to change its state of motion. If it is at rest it tends to remain at rest; if it is moving it tends to keep moving. This property of an object is called its inertia. Further, we know that it is easier to push an empty box than a box full of stones. Quantitatively, the inertia of an object is measured by its mass. "The mass of an object is a measure of its inertia." Greater the mass , greater is the inertia.

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Difference between the two mass and weight:


1. Mass is measure of inertia of an object whereas the weight of an object is the force with which it is attracted towards earth.

2.Mass of an object tends to remain same whether the object is on earth, the moon or even in outer space. Thus, mass of an object is constant and does not change from place to place. On the other hand, Weight of an object depends upon the mass and gravitational force. So, it changes from place to place as the value of "g" is different at different places. It is not constant.

3.The SI unit of mass is Kg, while the SI unit of weight is Newton.

4.The weight is the force acting vertically downwards; it has both magnitude and direction.hence, it a vector quantity. But, mass only has magnitude but no direction so it is scalar quantity.

5. Mass of an object can never be Zero but  weight of an object can be Zero as gravity at poles is zero.