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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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- 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.Newton’s second law explains how the velocity of an object changes when it is subjected to an external force. The law defines a force to be equal to change in momentum (mass times velocity) per change in time. Newton also developed the calculus of mathematics, and the “changes” expressed in the second law are most accurately defined in ...
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.
The SI unit for weight is the newton, and the SI unit for mass is the kilogram. The SI unit for gravitational field strength is newtons per kilogram (N/kg). The gravitational field strength at the surface of Earth is 9.8 N/kg.
Mass is defined as the amount of matter in an object while weight is defined as the force exerted by an object. SI unit of mass is kilograms while SI unit of weight is Newtons. Object weighing 1 kg mass will have 9.8 N weight.
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Mass is a measure of how much matter something contains. Weight is a measure of how strongly gravity pulls. Apparent Weight is a measure of downwards force. Force is measured in Newtons, not kilograms.
