Mass and Weight

The mass of an object is a fundamental property of the object; a numerical

measure of its inertia; a fundamental measure of the amount of matter in the
object. Definitions of mass often seem circular because it is such a fundamental
quantity that it is hard to define in terms of something else. All mechanical
quantities can be defined in terms of mass, length, and time. The usual symbol
for mass is m and its SI unit is the kilogram. While the mass is normally
considered to be an unchanging property of an object, at speeds approaching
the speed of light one must consider the increase in the relativistic mass.
The weight of an object is the force of gravity on the object and may be defined Index
as the mass times the acceleration of gravity, w = mg. Since the weight is a
force, its SI unit is the newton. Density is mass/volume.

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Weight Index
The weight of an object is defined as the force of gravity on the object and
What
may be calculated as the mass times the acceleration of gravity, w = mg.
about the
Since the weight is a force, its SI unit is the newton.
weightless
For an object in free fall, so that gravity is the only force acting on it, then the condition?
expression for weight follows from Newton's second law.
You might well ask, as many do, "Why do you multiply the mass times the
freefall acceleration of gravity when the mass is sitting at rest on the table?".
The value of g allows you to determine the net gravity force if it were in
freefall, and that net gravity force is the weight. Another approach is to
consider "g" to be the measure of the intensity of the gravity field in
Newtons/kg at your location. You can view the weight as a measure of the
mass in kg times the intensity of the gravity field, 9.8 Newtons/kg under
standard conditions.
Data can be entered into any of the boxes below. Then click outside the box
to update the other quantities.

At the Earth's surface, where g=9.8 m/s2 :

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The weight of mass kg is Newtons

The weight of mass slugs is pounds

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 The kilogram is the SI unit of mass
and it the almost universally used
standard mass unit. The associated
SI unit of force and weight is the
Newton, with 1 kilogram weighing
9.8 Newtons under standard
conditions on the Earth's surface.
However, in the US common units,
the pound is the unit of force (and
therefore weight).The pound is the
widely used unit for commerce.
The use of the pound force
constrains the mass unit to an
inconveniently large measuring
unit called a "slug". The use of this
unit is discouraged, and the use of
exclusively SI units for all
scientific work is strongly
encouraged.

What is a slug?

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Index

Weightlessness
While the actual weight of a person is determined by his mass and the
acceleration of gravity, one's "perceived weight" or "effective weight" comes
from the fact that he is supported by floor, chair, etc. If all support is removed
suddenly and the person begins to fall freely, he feels suddenly "weightless" -
so weightlessness refers to a state of being in free fall in which there is no
perceived support. The state of weightlessness can be achieved in several ways,
all of which involve significant physical principles.

Click on any of the examples for further details.

 Physical Units
Mechanics is the branch of physics in which the basic physical units are
developed. The logical sequence is from the description of motion to the causes
of motion (forces and torques) and then to the action of forces and torques. The
basic mechanical units are those of

All mechanical quantities can be expressed in terms of these three quantities.

The standard units are the Systeme Internationale or SI units. The primary SI Index
units for mechanics are the kilogram (mass), the meter (length) and the second
(time). However if the units for these quantities in any consistent set of units are
denoted by M, L, and T, then the scheme of mechanical relationships can be
sketched out.
Chain of
Development of
mechanical Table of units Unit conversions
mechanical units
quantities

Comment on significant digits Dimensional analysis

A brief overview of time.

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This is an active graphic. Click on any segment for further information.

Index

Physical
units

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 This is an active graphic. Click on any segment for further information.

Index

Physical
units

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Index

Physical
units
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Dimensional Analysis
Having the same units on both sides of an equation does not gaurantee that the equation is
correct, but having different units on the two sides of an equation certainly gaurantees that
it is wrong! So it is good practice to reconcile units in problem solving as one check on
the consistency of the work. Units obey the same algebraic rules as numbers, so they can
serve as one diagnostic tool to check your problem solutions.
For example, in the solution for distance in constant acceleration motion, the distance is
set equal to an expression involving combinations of distance, time, velocity and
acceleration. But the combination of the units in each of the terms must yield just the unit
of distance, since the left hand side of the equation has the dimension of distance.

Combinations of units pervade all of physics, and doing some analysis of the units is
common practice. For example, in the case of centripetal force, it is not immediately
evident that the quantity on the right has the dimensions of force, but it must. Checking it
out:

Often the use of dimensional analysis can be helpful as a reminder of what specialized
units contain. In the case of the magnetic force on a moving charge, the magnetic field
unit is a Tesla. But what is a Tesla? Checking out the force equation can remind you of
the combination of basic units that is contained in the unit named a Tesla.
 Density
Density is defined as mass per unit volume.

Data can be entered into any of the boxes below. Specifying any two of the quantities determines
the third. After you have entered values for two, click on the text representing to third to
calculate its value.
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gm/cm3 = gm / cm3

kg/m3 = kg / m3
The density of water is 1 gram/cm3 since water was used as an early mass standard, one gram
being informally defined as the mass of 1 cm3 of water.
 N/m3= lb/ft3
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Archimedes' Principle

Archimedes' principle aids in the experimental determination of density by providing a

convenient and accurate method for determining the volume of an irregularly shaped object, like
a rock.

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If an object is massed in air and found to have mass m = grams

and is then submerged in water and found to have apparent mass m' = grams

then it has displaced m - m' = grams of water. Since water has a density of 1 gram/cm3,
this implies

Volume of object = V = cm3.

The density of the object is then

How many digits are significant?

Note that in the experimental arrangement, the container of water in which the object is
submerged is supported on a platform so that the balance scale does not include the measurement
of the mass of the water and its container.
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Mass, Weight, Density and Volume
Mass (m)
Mass is the amount of matter in an object or substance. S.I. unit for mass is kilogram (Kg).
Mass is always constant regardless of where the object is.
Weight (w)
Weight is the amount of gravitational force acting on an object. S.I. unit for weight is Newton
(N). Acceleration of free fall (g) is measured in m/s². Weight = Mass X Acceleration of free fall
(g)...
w=mxg
Weight unlike mass it is inconsistent. It depend very much on the position of the object. Eg.
Weight of an object on the Moon is only one sixth its weight when it is on Earth. However, mass
of an object is the same on both the Moon and the Earth
Density (D)
Density is the amount of matter per unit volume of an object. The common units used for density
are kg/m3 or g/cm3. Density = Mass / Volume.
D=m/v
Common misunderstanding of learners: A kg of feather and a kg of gold, which is heavier? The
common answer is always gold. However, the answer is the same except gold has a higher
density than feather.
Volume (v)
Volume is the amount of space occupied by an object or substances. The common units used for
volume are m3 or cm3. Volume = Mass / Density
v=m/D
Note:
Matter can be solid liquid an gases.
Substances above referred to mainly liquid and gas.

Mass Volume Density Quiz (Level 1)

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1. ___ is the amount of matter an object has.

a) Weight

b) Mass

c) Volume

d) Density
2. A graduated cylinder is used to measure_____.

a) Weight

b) Mass

c) Volume

d) Density
3. If we use the units of grams (g.)for mass and cubic centimeters (cm3) for volume, then
the units for density will be

a) grams

b) cm 3

c) g - cm 3

d) g/cm 3
4. The mass of an object is 6 kg on earth. On the moon the mass would be

6 kg.

0 kg.

1 kg.

3 kg.
5. A cube has a side of 5 cm. It has a mass of 250 grams. The density of the cube is

50 g/cm3 and will float in water

Mass Volume Density Quiz (level 2)
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1. Which of these is not an accurate unit for mass?

a) gram

b) slug

c) pound

d) kilogram
2. Four immiscible liquids are mixed and form four layers. From top to bottom what will
be observed?

a) corn oil, carbon tetrachloride, water, mercury

b) carbon tetrachloride, corn oil, water, mercury

c) corn oil, water, carbon tetrachloride, mercury

d) corn oil, water, mercury, carbon tetrachloride

3. An 8 oz. empty glass is filled with ice. It has a mass of 254 grams. After the ice melts the
total mass would be

a) approximately 260 grams

b) 254 grams

c) approximately 250 grams

d) much greater than 260 grams

4. A volume of 50 cu.cm. of dry sand is added to 30 cu. cm. of water for a total volume of 60
cu cm. What is the volume of water that goes into the air spaces?

50 cu.cm.

60 cu. cm,

10 cu. cm.

20 cu. cm.
5. A large piece of rock salt is added to a test tube containing water. The level of water is