The differences between weight and mass
Mass and weight are often used interchangeably in everyday life, but they’re actually two very different physical properties. Both are units of measurement that can be applied to objects; however, the difference between mass and weight lies in how the two are measured, what they represent, and how they differ from one another. This article explores the differences between weight and mass and how you can use them in your daily life.
What is weight?
Weight is the measurement of how much a person, animal or object is being pulled down by gravity. It’s often confused with mass, which tells you how much matter something contains.
Weight can be measured using a variety of tools (from scales to spring balances), but it’s always connected to gravity in some way, whereas mass has no such requirement.
What is Mass?
Mass can be defined as the amount of matter that makes up an object. It’s actually a little more complicated than that, but for our purposes let’s leave it at that.
The two most common units of measurement used to measure mass are the gram (g) and the kilogram (kg). In order to measure the mass of an object, all you have to do is get on a scale!
Measuring Mass and Weight
The measure is one of the important differences between weight and mass. When it comes to measuring the amount of matter in an object, there are two systems of measurement that scientists use: weight and mass.
Although the terms weight and mass sound similar, they have very different meanings. Weight is a measurement of the force that depends on gravity, meaning it doesn’t change as we travel through space. Mass, on the other hand, is a measure of an object’s inertia that stays constant regardless of where the object is in space.
Why Does Mass Vary in Gases?
You may have learned in chemistry class that the average density of air is 1.21 kg/m, which is close to the density of water (which means an average person will float).
However, the actual density of air varies depending on its pressure and temperature. The higher a gas’s temperature, the less dense it is; likewise, as its pressure decreases, so does its density.
The Ideal Gas Law an Exception
- While the ideal gas law is a tried-and-true formula, it doesn’t always apply. For example, gases at extremely high pressures will deviate from the ideal gas law.
- Also, substances such as liquid hydrogen that freeze in the presence of a magnetic field don’t follow the trend set by Boyle’s Law, they actually become less dense when they freeze.
Density of Liquids
Mass and density is the ratio of an object’s mass to its volume. The density of a liquid depends on the density of its material (and therefore how much matter is contained in a given space) as well as the temperature at which it’s measured. Liquids can be more or less dense than one another, depending on their makeup.
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This article looked at the differences between weight and mass. Weight is a measure of the force of gravity on an object, while mass is the measure of the amount of matter in an object. Understanding the difference between weight and mass is important for accurate measurements.