LEARNING

OBJECTIVES

1.3 Mass and weight Supplement

Core • Demonstrate an understanding
• Show familiarity with the idea of that mass is a property that
the mass of a body ‘resists’ change in motion
• State that weight is a • Describe, and use the concept of,
gravitational force weight as the effect of a
• Distinguish between mass and gravitational field on a mass
weight
• Recall and use the equation W =
mg
• Demonstrate understanding that
weights (and hence masses) may be
compared using a balance
Mass, weight and gravity

Mass, m ?
The amount of matter that makes up an object.
It is measured in kilogram (kg).
Mass is a scalar quantity.

Weight, W?
The force on a mass due to gravity.
It is measured in newtons (N).
Weight is a vector quantity.
Mass, weight and gravity

‘g’ actually has two meanings:

 g is the acceleration of free fall (10m/s2)

Mass, weight and gravity

‘g’ actually has two meanings:

 g is the acceleration of free fall (10m/s2)

 g is the gravitational field strength (10N/kg)

Mass, weight and gravity

Gravitational field strength is the force

experienced by a mass due to gravitational
attraction.
Mass, weight and gravity

Gravitational field strength is the force

experienced by a mass due to gravitational
attraction.

Weight is the term we use for the Earth’s

gravitational force on an object.
Mass, weight and gravity

FORMULA
Weight = mass x g

(where g = 10N/kg)
Mass, weight and gravity

Weight = mass x g

(where g = 10N/kg)

W = mg
Mass, weight and gravity

Weight = mass x g

(where g = 10N/kg)

W = mg

W = 1000 kg x 10 N/kg
Mass, weight and gravity

Weight = mass x g

(where g = 10N/kg)

W = mg

W = 1000 x 10

W = 10,000N
Mass, weight and gravity

Weight = mass x g

(where g = 10N/kg)

W = mg

Remember: mass doesn’t change – it’s

the gravitational force that may change
Mass, weight and gravity

Mass Weight
In space
1000kg ?
On the
1000kg ?
Moon

On Earth
1000kg ?
Mass, weight and gravity

Mass Weight
In space
1000kg ?N
On the
1000kg 1600 N
Moon

On Earth
1000kg 10000 N

The value of mass is always constant.

The value of weight is different depend on the value of the g.
IGCSE Past Papers

Oct/Nov 2015
IGCSE Past Papers

Oct/Nov 2014
IGCSE Past Papers

Oct/Nov 2013
 IGCSE Past Papers
May/ June 2010
PHYSICS – Mass and Weight
TUTORIAL