Chapter 2: Problem 10

Discuss the distinction between mass and weight.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: The key differences between mass and weight are that mass is an intrinsic property of an object and a scalar quantity, while weight depends on the gravitational force and is a vector quantity. Mass remains constant regardless of an object's location, while weight varies based on local gravitational acceleration.

Step by step solution

Definition of Mass

Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, and it is typically measured in units such as grams (g) or kilograms (kg). It is an inherent property of the object and doesn't depend on its location or other factors.

Definition of Weight

Weight, on the other hand, is the force exerted on an object due to gravity. It depends on both the mass of the object and the gravitational acceleration acting upon it. The most common unit for weight is the Newton (N) in the International System of Units (SI).

Relationship Between Mass and Weight

The relationship between mass (m) and weight (W) can be described by the following equation: W = m * g where W is the weight, m is the mass of the object, and g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s² on Earth).

Differences Between Mass and Weight

1. Mass is an intrinsic property of an object, whereas weight depends on the gravitational force. 2. Mass is a scalar quantity, while weight is a vector quantity, with both magnitude and direction (downward). 3. Mass will remain constant regardless of an object's location, while weight varies based on local gravitational acceleration.

Examples

1. An object with a mass of 100 kg will always have a mass of 100 kg, whether it's on Earth, the Moon, or in space. Its weight, on the other hand, will vary depending on the gravitational acceleration in its location. For instance, its weight on Earth would be approximately 981 N (F = 100 kg × 9.81 m/s²), while its weight on the Moon would be significantly less (about 1/6 of its weight on Earth) due to the lower gravitational acceleration. 2. When astronauts travel to space, their mass remains the same, but they experience weightlessness because the gravitational force acting upon them is very weak.

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Discuss the distinction between mass and weight.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Definition of Mass

Definition of Weight

Relationship Between Mass and Weight

Differences Between Mass and Weight

Examples

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