Difference between Mass and Weight

Definition of Mass

Mass is a physical quantity that indicates the total amount of matter or substance in an object. Mass is the basic property of an object that calculates the object's resistance to acceleration when an external force is applied to it. Mass is represented by M or m. The S.I unit of MassMass is the kilogram (Kg).

Mass is a quantity that tells us how much force is required to move an object from one place to another.

F = ma

Where,

F = Force

m = Mass

a = Acceleration

The Mass formula is given as,

Mass = Force/ Acceleration

If the acceleration itself is the gravity, then

M = F/g

Where,

F = force

G = gravity.

Definition of Weight

Weight is the force exerted by an object with MassMass when acted on by a gravitational field. Weight is related to MassMass but will very proportional to the strength of the gravitational field. Mass remains consistent, even in a zero Gravitation (G) environment, but there is zero weight in zero Gravitation(G). Weight is denoted by W.

Weight is nothing but mass time's acceleration due to gravity.

W=m x g

Where

W = Weight

M = Mass

g = Acceleration due to gravity

It is considered as a force acting along the center of gravity (point) of any object. The Mass of an object is constant while weight which depends on gravity varies. Hence, if the weight of a person on earth is 'p.,' Then his weight on the moon would be less than 'p just because the gravity is very weak on the moon.

S.no	Differentiating property	Mass	Weight
1	Definition	Mass is a physical quantity that indicates the total amount of matter or substance in an object	Weight is the force exerted by an object with Mass when acted on by a gravitational field.
2	Denotation	Mass is denoted by m	Weight is denoted by W
3	Quantity type	Mass is a scalar quantity because it has only magnitude. Mass is base quantity.	Weight is a vector quantity because it has both magnitudes as well as direction (in the direction of the center of gravity) Weight is derived from the quantity
4	Unit	The S.I unit of Mass is Kilogram (Kg)	The S.I unit of Weight is Newton (N)
5	Formula	Mass is always constant for an object, and there are many formulas to determine Mass. M = Force/Acceleration M = Volume × Density	Weight refers to the measurement of the gravitational force acting on an object. Weight can be calculated from the given formula: Weight = mass × acceleration due to gravity
6	Gravitational effect	Mass can never be zero. Mass does not rely upon gravity, and it is constant everywhere.	Weight can be negligible where there is no gravity. For example, Space Weight is relying on gravity, so; it varies from one place to another.

Mass is directly proportional to weight; it means the greater the MassMass of something, the greater is its weight. Although, the primary difference between the MassMass and the weight refers to MassMass is constant, while the weight of an object changes as it relies on how far the object is from the center of the earth.

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