SS1: PHYSICS – 1ST TERM
-
Introduction to Physics | Week 14 Topics|1 Quiz
-
Measurement I | Week 23 Topics|1 Quiz
-
Measurement II | Week 36 Topics|1 Quiz
-
Motion | Week 45 Topics|1 Quiz
-
Velocity-Time Graph | Week 54 Topics|1 Quiz
-
Causes of Motion | Week 65 Topics|1 Quiz
-
Work, Energy & Power | Week 73 Topics
-
Energy Transformation / Power | Week 83 Topics|1 Quiz
-
Heat Energy | Week 95 Topics|1 Quiz
-
Linear Expansion | Week 107 Topics|1 Quiz
Measurement of Mass / Weight
Topic Content:
- Definition of Mass
- Definition of Weight
- Differences between Mass and Weight
- Relationship Between Mass And Weight
- Worked Example
What is Mass?
Mass is the quantity of matter contained in a body. With the System Internationale (S.I) unit, the standard unit of mass is kilogram.
The measurement of the mass of a body is carried out with the aid of chemical balance or beam balance in the laboratory and these instruments can measure up to 0.001 g, which is the reading accuracy of the beam or chemical balance.

The mass of an object is measured by comparing it to a known mass on the arm of the chemical or beam balance. Other instruments that can be used to determine the mass of an object include electronic balance, triple beam balance, lever balance, etc.
What is Weight?
Weight (W) of an object is the gravitational pull of the earth on a body. It is measured with the aid of an instrument known as spring balance and the S.I unit of weight is Newton (N).
The weight of a body varies from place to place on the earth’s surface.
The differences between mass and weight are stated as follows:
Mass vs. Weight:
Mass | Weight |
---|---|
It is measured in kilograms (kg) | It is measured in Newton (N) |
It is measured with chemical/beam balance | It is measured with a spring balance |
Mass is constant | Weight varies |
Mass is a scalar quantityA scalar quantity is a quantity that does not depend on direction. It can also be defined as a quantity with magnitude only. Examples of Scalar Quantities include area, density, distance,... More | Weight is a derived quantity |
Mass is a fundamental quantity | Weight is a derived quantity |
Relationship Between Mass And Weight:
The formula that connects mass and weight is the relationship between mass and weight. This formula is used in calculations, to either calculate the mass of a given weight of an object or to calculate the weights of a given mass of an object.
The formula is:
Weight = Mass × Acceleration due to Gravity
Weight = m × g
where m is the mass (in Kg) and g is the acceleration due to gravity (in m/s2 or ms-2).
Example 3.1.1:
Calculate the weight of a mass 350 g. (g = 10 ms-2 )
Solution:
Values given:
Mass = \( \scriptsize 350g \)
Convert this to kg which is the standard unit
Mass = \( \scriptsize 350\:g \\ = \frac{350}{1000} \\ = \scriptsize 0.350\:kg \)
Formula:
Weight = mass × acceleration due to gravity
W = m × g
Solution:
Weight = 0.350 kg × 10 ms-2
Weight = 3.5 N
Thank you
Thank you so much
like it