Mass Notes

What is “mass”?

1. Mass The amount of matter in an object Mass stays the same regardless of location Mass is measured with a triple beam balance or a double pan balance Basic unit of measurement is the gram (g) 1 gram (g) = 1000 milligrams (mg) 1kilogram (Kg)= 1000 grams (g) (*mass is NOT weight)

Double Pan Balance

2. Weight The measure of the pull of gravity on an object Varies / changes depending on location measured with a spring scale Basic unit of measure is Newtons (N) weight = (mass x gravity)

3. Gravity The force of attraction between two objects Gravity is determined by the objects mass Ex: big mass = strong gravity The sun has more mass, and more gravitational pull than Earth small mass = weaker gravity The moon has less mass and less gravitational pull than Earth