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Home Concept Builders Newton's Laws Mass and Weight Help Help 9

Mass and Weight - Questions 9 Help

Mass and weight are more than just concepts. They are measurable quantities that are mathematically related to each other by a simple equation. Knowing one of the quantities allows you to calculate the other quantity. See the How to Think About This Situation (as always) for additional guidance on completing the table.

There are four similar versions of this question. Here is one of those versions:
 

Version 1:

Complete the following table.

This question involves the completion of a table with 11 blank table cells. Seven of these blank cells involve the calculation of the object's weight. The weight of an object refers to the force with which gravity pulls downward upon that object. It's value can be calculated from the equation ...
 

Weight = mass • g
where g = gravitational field strength.


The value of g is location dependent. On Earth's surface, it's value is roughly 9.8 N/kg. Whenever you know the mass and the value of the gravitational field strength, you can calculate the weight of the object.

As you will note in the table, the g value is different at other locations - such as in orbit above the Earth, on the moon, and on other planets. But this you can be sure of: for the same location, it's value is the same. This certain truth will allow you to determine the value of the Grav. Field Strength for the two blank cells.

As for mass, its value is not dependent upon location. A 2-kg book on Earth would have a mass of 2 kg when taken to the moon or another planet. An object's mass is constant. Using this fact, you should be able to determine the value of mass for the two blank cells.

With the mass and the gravitational field strength (g) known, all weight values can be calculated using the equation above.

You got this!

Try this link to The Physics Classroom Tutorial for more help with mass and weight:

Types of Forces (Mass and Weight section)

Concept Builder Teacher Notes Directions