It is essential for students to know that the concept of gravitational force can be used to explain the difference between mass and weight.
Mass
Mass is the amount of matter in an object; it does not depend on forces acting on it. Mass is the same no matter where the object is located as long as the object does not gain or lose any of its matter. An object that has mass can be pulled on by gravitational force. Mass is measured on a balance.
Weight
Weight is a measure of the pull of gravity on an object. Weight is related to mass but they are not the same. Weight on Earth is based on the pull of gravity toward the center of Earth. Weight can change on Earth since the pull of gravity is not the same everywhere. Weight is measured using a spring scale.
Weight can change if an object is located on another object in space, for example, the Moon or Mars. The mass of that larger object determines
the pull of gravity and therefore the weight of the object.
Weight may change due to the change in gravitational force, but mass stays the same.
Mass
Mass is the amount of matter in an object; it does not depend on forces acting on it. Mass is the same no matter where the object is located as long as the object does not gain or lose any of its matter. An object that has mass can be pulled on by gravitational force. Mass is measured on a balance.
Weight
Weight is a measure of the pull of gravity on an object. Weight is related to mass but they are not the same. Weight on Earth is based on the pull of gravity toward the center of Earth. Weight can change on Earth since the pull of gravity is not the same everywhere. Weight is measured using a spring scale.
Weight can change if an object is located on another object in space, for example, the Moon or Mars. The mass of that larger object determines
the pull of gravity and therefore the weight of the object.
Weight may change due to the change in gravitational force, but mass stays the same.