Difference between mass and weight

• Weight can be measured using extension or compression spring balances
• In real life, mass is commonly referred to as weight, but they are different. Mass is measured in grams and kilograms, while weight is measured in Newton
• The weight of an object on the Moon is less than its weight on Earth because the Moon has a weaker gravitational field strength than Earth
• The mass of an object is the amount of matter in it and does not change with location
• The force experienced is strongest on the surface of the Earth and gets weaker further away
• Earth is surrounded by a gravitational field. Field lines are drawn to represent the gravitational field
• The weight of an object on the moon is one-sixth of its weight on Earth, but the mass of the object is the same everywhere
• The Earth's gravity is experienced by any object near it
• The SI unit of mass is the kilogram (kg) and the unit of weight is the newton (N)
• Weight is a measure of the force of gravity exerted on an object. The more mass an object has, the greater the force acting on it
• On Earth, the gravitational field strength g is approximately 10 N/kg at the surface of the Earth. The gravitational field strength on the Moon is approximately 1.6 N/kg
• Gravitational field


  The region (space) surrounding the Earth where gravity is experienced
• The gravitational force acting on a mass changes with location depending on the gravitational field strength in that location