SC.8.P.8.2 Differentiate between weight and mass recognizing that weight is the amount of gravitational pull on an object and is distinct from, though proportional to mass.

Question How does the mass of an object affect its weight?

Hypothesis If the object is changed and the mass and weight is measured then the mass and weight will be _________________.

To teach 8th graders the difference between mass and weight. Rationale To teach 8th graders the difference between mass and weight.

Materials List 4 smaller items from your backpack 1 balance 1 scale

Procedures Gather materials Take 1st small object and place it on the balance. Adjust the weights to find the mass of the object. Log the mass on data table Repeat steps 2-4 with 3 other objects Take 1st small object and place it on the scale Log the weight on the data table Repeat steps 6-7 with 3 other objects

Data Object Name Mass Weight

Graph

Conclusion What is the difference between mass and weight? What misconception or confusion might exist about the difference between mass and weight?

Extension Planet Mass Relative Gravity Weight on Planet Mercury 0.38 Venus 0.91 Earth 1.00 Mars Jupiter 2.34 Saturn 1.06 Uranus 0.89 Neptune 1.13 Pluto (dwarf) 0.07

Follow Up Why do you weigh less on Mercury and WAY less on Pluto if your mass stays the same?