Mass

Front

Mass Noun

---

[mas]

Back

Mass

---

The amount of matter in a physical object, which is a fundamental, scalar property that remains constant regardless of location.

---

Example: A balance scale shows that the apple has more mass (amount of matter) than the 1-gram weight, causing the scale to tip down.

Front

Weight Noun

---

[wayt]

Back

Weight

---

The measure of the gravitational force on an object, which is a vector quantity that varies with location and is measured in Newtons.

---

Example: This diagram shows that weight is the force of gravity pulling down on an object that has mass.

Front

Matter Noun

---

[mat-er]

Back

Matter

---

The physical substance that constitutes all observable objects in the universe, possessing both mass and volume.

---

Example: This image shows a balance scale comparing a rock and a feather. The rock has more mass than the feather, causing its side of the scale to tip down.

Front

Gravity Noun

---

[grav-i-tee]

Back

Gravity

---

The fundamental force of attraction between any two objects with mass, which is responsible for giving objects weight.

---

Example: This diagram shows Earth, an object with large mass, pulling everything towards its center. The yellow arrows represent the force of gravity acting on all sides.

Front

Scalar Quantity Noun

---

[skay-ler kwon-ti-tee]

Back

Scalar Quantity

---

A physical quantity that is completely described by its magnitude, a numerical value, without any associated direction.

---

Example: This diagram shows the formula Force = mass x acceleration (F=ma) and labels mass (m) as a scalar quantity, which has only magnitude (like 5 kg).

Front

Vector Quantity Noun

---

[vek-ter kwon-ti-tee]

Back

Vector Quantity

---

A physical quantity that requires both a magnitude and a direction for its complete description, such as force or velocity.

---

Example: This image shows a push, which is a type of force. The arrow shows the force's specific direction, making it a vector quantity.

Front

Newton (N) Noun

---

[noo-tun]

Back

Newton (N)

---

The standard unit of force in the International System of Units (SI), commonly used to measure an object's weight.

---

Example: This image shows a spring scale, or Newton meter, a tool used to measure force. The scale is marked in Newtons (N), the standard unit of force.

Front

Kilogram (kg) Noun

---

[kil-o-gram]

Back

Kilogram (kg)

---

The base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI), used to measure the amount of matter in an object.

---

Example: This image shows a pumpkin being weighed on a kitchen scale, with a magnified dial clearly indicating its mass is 4 kilograms (kg).

Front

Spring Balance Noun

---

[spring bal-ans]

Back

Spring Balance

---

An instrument used to measure weight by measuring the extension of a spring caused by the force of gravity on an object.

---

Example: This diagram shows a spring balance measuring the weight of an apple. The pull of gravity on the apple stretches the internal spring, and the pointer indicates the resulting force (weight) on the scale.

Front

Triple Beam Balance Noun

---

[trip-ul beem bal-ans]

Back

Triple Beam Balance

---

A laboratory instrument used to precisely measure mass by sliding riders along three calibrated beams to achieve a balance.

---

Example: This diagram shows how to read a triple beam balance by adding the mass values from the three beams (hundreds, tens, and ones place).