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MASS AND WEIGHT

The document explains the concepts of mass and weight, defining mass as a scalar quantity representing the amount of matter in an object, measured in kilograms, while weight is a vector quantity representing the gravitational force on that mass, measured in newtons. It highlights the difference between mass, which remains constant regardless of location, and weight, which varies with gravitational field strength, such as on Earth versus the Moon. Additionally, it discusses how to measure mass and weight using balances and force meters.

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6 views

MASS AND WEIGHT

The document explains the concepts of mass and weight, defining mass as a scalar quantity representing the amount of matter in an object, measured in kilograms, while weight is a vector quantity representing the gravitational force on that mass, measured in newtons. It highlights the difference between mass, which remains constant regardless of location, and weight, which varies with gravitational field strength, such as on Earth versus the Moon. Additionally, it discusses how to measure mass and weight using balances and force meters.

Uploaded by

sihlemamba986
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHYSICS GRADE 10

MASS AND WEIGHT


Mass & weight
• Mass
• Mass is defined as:
• A measure of the quantity of matter in an object
at rest relative to the observer
• Consequently, mass is the property of an object that
resists change in motion
• The greater the mass of an object, the more difficult it is
to speed it up, slow it down, or change its direction
• Mass is a scalar quantity that has magnitude but no
direction
• Mass is measured in kilograms (kg)
• Sometimes mass may be given in grams (g) but this will
need to be converted to kilograms when used in calculations
• 1000 g = 1 kg
• 1 g = 0.001 kg
• To convert g to kg, divide the mass in g by 1000
• To convert kg to g, multiply the mass in g by 1000
Weight
• Weight is a gravitational force on an object with mass
• Since weight is a force, it is a vector quantity with
both magnitude and direction
• Weight is measured in newtons (N)
Weight & gravity
• Weight and gravitational field strength
• Weight is the effect of a gravitational field on a mass *formula
• Weight is defined as:
• The force acting on an object with mass when placed in a
gravitational field
• Planets have strong gravitational fields
• Hence, they attract nearby masses with a strong gravitational force
• Because of weight:
• Objects stay firmly on the ground
• Objects will always fall to the ground
• Satellites are kept in orbit
Some of the phenomena associated with gravitational attraction and the weight force
Defining gravitational field
strength
• Gravitational field strength is defined as:
• The force per unit mass acting on an object in a gravitational field
• On Earth, this is equal to 9.8 N/kg

• Where:

g = gravitational field strength, measured in newtons per kilogram


(N/kg)
W = force of weight, measured in newtons (N)
m = mass of object, measured in kilograms (kg)
• An object in free fall in a vacuum, in a uniform gravitational field, will
accelerate at a rate also known as g
Where g = acceleration of free fall
• In this context, g = 9.8 m/s2
• Gravitational field strength and acceleration of free fall are equivalent
quantities
• Mass vs. weight
• An object’s mass always remains
the same, regardless of its
location in the Universe
• The weight force exerted on the
object will differ depending on
the strength of the gravitational
field in its location
• For example, the gravitational
field strength on the Moon
is 1.63 N/kg, meaning an
object’s weight will be about 6
times less than on Earth
On the Moon, a person's mass will stay the
same but their weight will be much lower
WORK
• NASA's Artemis mission aims to send the first woman
astronaut to the Moon. Isabelle hopes to one day
become an astronaut. She has a mass of 42 kg.
• Compare the difference between Isabelle's weight on
Earth, and her weight on the Moon.
• Take the Earth's gravitational field strength as 9.8 N/kg,
and the Moon's gravitational field strength as 1.6 N/kg.
Using a balance
• The weight of two objects can be compared using
a balance
• Because the gravitational field strength
is constant everywhere on Earth, this also allows us to
measure the mass of an object

A balance can be used to compare two


• Balances can be digital or analogue
• The object being measured is placed on the balance
• The reading given is mass in kg or g
• Force meters, or newton meters, consist of a spring
and hook
• The object being measured is hung from the hook
• The reading given is weight in N

• TEST???

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