MASS vs.
WEIGHT
The mass of an object is a characteristic property and doesn't change unless
the object changes. Weight is the result of gravitational attraction and
depends on the strength of that attraction. You can calculate changes in
weight based on changes in the force of gravity.
1. Mass, weight, and gravity
The key to these problems is to remember that gravity is a force that acts on mass. The result of
that interaction is a force that we call weight. Mass is always measured in kilograms, but weight
is measured in force units, or Newtons. This is yet another area of confusion within the English
system of measurement because pounds are a force unit.
Here is the conversion for pounds force to Newtons: 1 pound = 4.45 Newtons
The problem is that we also convert pounds into kilograms, the unit of mass. Here is the
conversion for pounds weight to kilograms: 1 pound = 0.454 kilograms
You can see that the conversion constants are very similar numerically. It’s essential to keep
these units clear. For that reason, these skill problems will be done in International System units,
Newtons and kilograms. Weight in Newtons is calculated by multiplying mass (in kilograms) by
the acceleration of gravity. On Earth, the acceleration of gravity is 9.8 meters/second/second. On
other planets, the acceleration of gravity is different.
Example:
What is the weight of a girl with a mass of 50 kilograms in a space station with an artificial
gravity of 7 N/kg?
2. Mass and weight practice
1. Science fiction movies depict astronauts landing on large asteroids. The gravitational force of
such bodies is typically less that 0.1 N/kg. Given an astronaut with a mass of 77.3 kilograms:
a. What would his weight be on Earth (g = 9.8 N/kg) in newtons and pounds (force)?
b. What would his weight be on an asteroid (g = 0.08 N/kg) in newtons and pounds (force)?
2. If you could embark on Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, you would discover
that the force of gravity would at first increase, as you got closer to the main mass of Earth. But
then it would decrease as your progress left more mass behind you and less in front of you.
Imagine now that you are very close to the center of Earth and the force of gravity has decreased
to 0.001 N/kg. What would you weigh in newtons and pounds (force) if your mass were 52.0
kilograms?
3. You are a typical young male with a mass of 68.4 kilograms. On Earth, you weigh 670
newtons, or 150.5 pounds (force). If you could survive, what would you weigh on the other
planets and the sun? Express your answer in newtons and pounds (force).
LOCATION Force of Gravity Newtons Pounds Kilograms
Sun 274.4 N/kg
Mercury 3.7 N/kg
Venus 8.9 N/kg
Earth 9.8 N/kg
Mars 3.7 N/kg
Saturn 10.4 N/kg
Uranus 8.8 N/kg
Neptune 10.7 N/kg
Pluto 0.7 N/kg
Assume you are located on Earth. Use these abbreviations (pounds = lbs, kilograms = kg,
Newtons = N). Complete the following conversions:
1. 100 lbs = ___________ N 10. 75 kg = ___________ N
2. 100 lbs = ___________ kg 11. 7 lbs = ___________ kg
3. 12.5 kg = ___________ N 12. 7 lbs = ___________ N
4. 1500 N = ___________kg 13. 125 lbs = ___________ kg
5. 2000 N = ___________ lbs 14. 125 lbs = ___________ N
6. 246 lbs = ___________N 15. 24.6 kg = ___________ N
7. 246 lbs = ___________ kg 16. Addison is a 20 month old toddler.
At her last doctor’s visit, she
weighed 23 pounds. What is
8. 22 kg = ___________ N
Addison’s weight in Newtons?
___________ What is Addison’s
9. 170 N = ___________ kg mass in kilograms? ____________
