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Jul 16, 2015 · Yes. When we use kilograms to measure weight, we are actually referring to $kg_f$ or kilogram-force. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilogram-force. From Wikipedia: One kilogram-force is equal to the magnitude of the force exerted by one kilogram of mass in a 9.80665 m/s2 gravitational field.
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10 questions linked to/from Why do we use kilograms instead...
- Units About Weight
It is in fact mass that is measured with the unit Kilogram...
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Why do we use kilograms instead of newtons to measure weight...
- Archimedes Principle and Specific Gravity
The balance can only measure the downward force exerted on...
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An unbalanced force of 50 N is placed upon two different bodies; one whose mass is 10 kg and the other whose weight is 10 N. What would be their respective accelerations? What is the weight of a 55 kg person standing at the Earth’s equator?
- The Difference Between Mass and Weight
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There are several differences between mass and weight. Mass is an intrinsic property of matter. It doesn’t change depending on where you measure it. It is a scalar value, which means it has magnitude, but no direction associated with it. The mass of an object is never zero. You measure mass with an ordinary balance on Earth or an inertial balance i...
We measure weight in grams, kilograms, ounces, and pounds. Technically, grams (g) and kilograms (kg) are units of mass. The SI unit of force is the Newton (N), with a 1 kg mass having a force of 9.8 N on Earth. The US unit of force is the pound (lb), while the unit of mass is something called a slug. A pound is the force required to move a 1 slug m...
Weight in an Elevator
One simple activity to see the difference between mass and weight is weighing yourself in an elevator. A digital scale works best because it’s easier to see the change in weight as the elevator ascends (increasing acceleration, which adds to gravity) and descends (negative acceleration, which decreases the effect of gravity). For a classroom activity, first have students weigh themselves (or an object) on a scale and discuss whether the value they obtain is mass, weight, or whether it matters...
Measuring Weight With Rubber Bands
You can compare the weights of objects by hanging them from rubber bands. On Earth, gravity affects a heavier object more than a lighter one and stretches the rubber band further. Predict what will happen when heavy and light objects are suspended from rubber bands on the ISS. What shape will the rubber band take? Do you expect there to be a difference between the way the rubber band responds to a heavy object compared to a light object?
Mass Cars
The easiest way to explore mass on Earth is to conduct experiments that move horizontally rather than vertically. This is because objects can’t change their position from the effect of gravity. Build a “mass car” and use an air pump to accelerate the mass across rollers or a low-friction track. Change the mass of the car, make a prediction about how this will change how far the car rolls, and perform an experimentto test the hypothesis. You can graph the distance the car moves compared to its...
Galili, Igal (2001). “Weight versus Gravitational Force: Historical and Educational Perspectives.” International Journal of Science Education. 23(1): 1073-1093.Gat, Uri. (1988). “The Weight of Mass and the Mess of Weight.” Standardization of Technical Terminology: Principles and Practice. ASTM. 2: 45-48.Hodgman, Charles D., editor. (1961). Handbook of Chemistry and Physics(44th ed.). Chemical Rubber Co. 3480-3485.Knight, Randall Dewey (2004). Physics for Scientists and Engineers: a Strategic Approach. Pearson.Key fact. On Earth, the gravitational field strength (g) is 10 N/kg which means that the mass of the Earth attracts every 1 kilogram mass with a weight force of 10 newtons. Therefore, 1...
Apr 10, 2024 · Mass and weight are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation. For example, our medical records often show our weight in kilograms but never in the correct units of newtons. In physics, however, there is an important distinction. Weight is the pull of Earth on an object.
Weight is measured in Newtons and mass is measured in kilograms. Weight is a force. And it's caused by the pull of gravity acting on a mass. Mass is the amount of matter...
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Weight is the force acting on an object due to gravity - it has the unit newtons (N) and acts towards the centre of a gravitational field. So weight is a gravitational force on an object...
