Differences, Similarities and Relation between mass and weight
Newton change the entire physics syllabus. After discovering the gravitational force many of the questions arises and one of them common is, Is mass and weight interconnected? or Is some differences between them? So here in this post we will discuss the relationship between mass and weight. We will also derive the relation in later further.
Mass and weight sounds similar things but, In physics both have different meaning. Both the terms mass and weight exist unique relation. And also some common differences between them. But before we start discussing the relation between mass and weight we should take an overview on the meaning of mass and weight in detail. So lets start with mass.
What is Mass?
Mass is defined as the amount of substance (it may be atoms, molecules etc) present in the object. In simple words the amount of matter present in an object is called mass. For example a rocket including all the matters that is used to create a rocket. So the total mass of rocket depends on the mass of each individual matter used in making rocket.
Now, one question arises, will the mass and weight are same. The answer is absolutely not. Both are different. Mass and weight has its own principle and advantage. Before knowing the relation between mass and weight, we should know a little about weight.
- S.I unit of mass is kilogram.
- C.G.S unit of mass is gram.
What is weight?
Weight is different from mass. A weight is defined as the amount of substance present in an object with gravitational forces. In simple words weight is defined as the product of mass and gravitational force. for example if a rocket is placed on earth then weight of the rocket will be equal to the product of the mass of rocket and gravity of earth. In case of other planet the weight of rocket is different. But with mass there is no difference even the planet are different or same.
The confusion of mass and weight is not new things. Many of the people thinks that both are same. But in physics both have the different meaning and different concept. That was the different thing we use mass and weight as same in language.
- S.I unit of weight is Newton.
- C.G.S unit of weight is dyne.
Learn 30 plus S.I and C.G.S unit of different-different physical or derived quantity. most people not here about that. Even google search fail to answer those C.G.S unit or S.I unit.
Relationship between mass and weight
The discussion is not over until or unless we do not give relation and differences between mass and weight. The confusion will always stay if we do not understand the basic relation between mass and weight. For better understanding the concept of mass and weight we also derive the relation between mass and weight.
The mass and weight relation describes that mass and weight are two different terms. The mathematical relationship between mass and weight is that weight of object is equal to the product of mass of that object and gravity of the planet. In other words weight is always equal to the product of mass and gravity of the planet.
For example let considered two different situation. one is which an object is on the earth and second in which the same object is on the moon. will the mass of the object be different in this cases? the answer is No. Now ask one more question to your self. will the amount of matter in both the object is same. The answer is yes. As we discuss above the matter of the object can never be change. That's mean the mass of the object is same in both the cases. But what about weight. Is the weight of these both object also be same? No, weight depends on the gravity of the planet. So that the gravity of earth is different than that of moon. Hence weight are not same. Thus from this illustrative example we conclude that the mass and weight are two different things. But both have relation between them.
The other concept of mass and weight is inertia. we can also derive the relationship between mass and weight with the help of inertia. According to inertia concept. greater the mass greater will be inertia and vice-versa. but greater the inertia will not be necessary to greater will be weight.
On other hand the weight of a body is directly proportional to the mass of the same body. So according to this relation the commonly asked question Are mass and weight are directly proportional. So answer is yes. mass and weight is directly proportional to each other.
As we discuss the mathematical relation between mass and weight theoretically. Now we discuss it in mathematics language.
The mass and weight is mathematically related as:
Weight = mass ✕ gravity (g)
Weight ∝ mass and Weight ∝ g
Hence, the formula of relation between mass and weight is Weight = mass ✕ gravity (g).
similarities and differences between mass and weight.
- Weight of the body depends on the planet whereas the mass of the body does not depends on the planet.
- Weight is always greater than the mass of the same object.
- Weight of same object may have different value but mass of same object have same value.
- Weight is vector quantity whereas mass is scalar quantity.
- Weight may very with situation but mass do not vary with conditions.
- Weight and mass both may relative in some cases.
- Mass can neve be zero whereas weight can be zero.
- Weight is measure in Newton but mass is measure in kilogram or gram.
Q&A on relation between mass and weight.
Is mass different from weight?
Mass and weight sounds similar things but, In physics both have different meaning. Both the terms mass and weight exist unique relation. Weight = mass ✕ gravity (g).
How is weight related to mass?
weight is related as directly proportional to the mass of the same body. Weight = mass ✕ gravity (g).
What is the relationship between mass, weight and gravity?
The relationship between mass, weight and gravity are Weight = mass ✕ gravity (g). Weight is directly proportional to mass and Weight is also directly proportional to gravity.
How can I calculate weight?
The mass and weight is mathematically related as:
Weight = mass ✕ gravity (g)
Weight ∝ mass and Weight ∝ g
Hence, the formula of relation between mass and weight is Weight = mass ✕ gravity (g).