1.3 Mass & Weight (Cambridge (CIE) O Level Physics): Flashcards

A measure of the quantity of matter in an object; mass is a scalar quantity measured in kilograms (kg).

The force acting on an object due to gravitational attraction; weight is a vector quantity measured in newtons (N).

The force per unit mass acting on an object in a gravitational field; on Earth this is 9.8 N/kg.

where W = weight (N), m = mass (kg), g = gravitational field strength (N/kg).

The greater the mass of an object, the more difficult it is to speed it up, slow it down, or change its direction.

Because gravitational field strength is constant everywhere on Earth, comparing weights on a balance is equivalent to comparing masses, using .

False.

The Moon's gravitational field strength (1.63 N/kg) is much less than Earth's (9.8 N/kg), so the object's weight is about six times smaller on the Moon, even though its mass is unchanged.

2.7 kg × 1000 = 2700 g (since 1 kg = 1000 g).

The empty container is placed on the digital balance, which is then zeroed (tared) with the container in place, so that when the substance is added, the reading gives the mass of the substance alone.

The mass of the empty container is recorded, then the mass of the container plus substance is recorded; the mass of the substance is found by subtracting the first reading from the second.