Mass vs Weight

Front

Mass Noun

---

[mas]

Back

Mass

---

A measure of the amount of matter in an object, which is a constant scalar quantity regardless of location.

---

Example: This image shows a balance scale, a tool used to measure mass. The scale is tilted, indicating the apple has more mass than the 1-gram weight.

Front

Weight Noun

---

[wayt]

Back

Weight

---

The measure of the force of gravity acting on an object's mass, a vector quantity that varies with location.

---

Example: This diagram shows that Earth's gravity is a force that pulls everything towards its center. This force is what gives an object its weight.

Front

Matter Noun

---

[mat-er]

Back

Matter

---

The physical substance that constitutes the observable universe and has the properties of both mass and taking up space.

---

Example: This image shows the three states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) and their particle arrangements, but it does not explain mass versus weight.

Front

Gravity Noun

---

[grav-i-tee]

Back

Gravity

---

The universal force of attraction that acts between all matter, which is responsible for giving weight to objects.

---

Example: This diagram shows that gravity is a force (F) of attraction between two objects that have mass, like the Earth and another celestial body.

Front

Force Noun

---

[fors]

Back

Force

---

An influence, such as a push or pull, that can cause an object with mass to change its velocity.

---

Example: A person pushing a box demonstrates applied force, while the opposing friction force resists the motion. This shows how forces can be balanced or unbalanced.

Front

Scalar Quantity Noun

---

[skay-ler kwon-ti-tee]

Back

Scalar Quantity

---

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

---

Example: This image shows temperature, which is a scalar quantity because it is described only by a magnitude (a number like 20°C) and has no direction.

Front

Vector Quantity Noun

---

[vek-ter kwon-ti-tee]

Back

Vector Quantity

---

A physical quantity that is fully described by both a magnitude and a specific direction in space.

---

Example: This image shows a ball falling, pulled down by gravity. This illustrates that weight is a vector quantity because it has both magnitude and a clear direction.

Front

Acceleration Noun

---

[ak-sel-uh-rey-shun]

Back

Acceleration

---

The rate of change of velocity per unit of time, involving a change in either an object's speed or direction.

---

Example: This diagram shows that when forces are unbalanced, like the thrust on a rocket being greater than its weight and drag, the rocket accelerates.

Front

Acceleration Due to Gravity (g) Noun

---

[ak-sel-uh-rey-shun doo too grav-i-tee]

Back

Acceleration Due to Gravity (g)

---

The constant acceleration of an object in free fall within a gravitational field, caused solely by the force of gravity.

---

Example: This diagram shows that as an object falls, its speed increases by 9.8 meters per second (m/s) every second due to gravity's constant acceleration.

Front

G-force Noun

---

[jee-fors]

Back

G-force

---

A measure of acceleration relative to the acceleration of gravity, often experienced by an object as its perceived weight.

---

Example: G-force is the force you feel from acceleration, acting in different directions like up/down, forward/backward (accelerating/braking), and sideways (cornering) in a vehicle.