Name: ___________________
Mass vs. Weight
Goals - to understand that mass and weight are different properties
- to see how mass and weight are numerically related by the acceleration due to gravity
1. Use a bathroom scale to find your weight in pounds. You can tell a little white lie about it (I do!), but pick a
number to write that is a reasonable weight for a person.
___________________ lbs.
2. Divide your weight in pounds by 2.2 to get your mass in kilograms. Because it is a measure of the amount of
matter in you, this mass would be the same anywhere in the universe.
__________________ lbs. ÷ 2.2 = ___________________ kg
3. A Newton is a unit used to measure force. The force of gravity that acts on your mass is your weight. Newtons
can also be used as a unit for weight. Find your weight in Newtons (N) by multiplying your mass in kilograms by
the acceleration due to gravity on Earth (9.8 m/s2).
___________________ kg x 9.8 m/s2 = __________________ N
This is how many Newtons of force you exert on the ground below you (as long as you stay on the Earth).
4. Because the moon is much smaller than the Earth, the acceleration due to gravity there is much lower. You can
find your weight on the moon in Newtons, but taking your mass in kilograms and multiplying by the moon’s
acceleration due to gravity (1.6 m/s2).
___________________ kg x 1.6 m/s2 = __________________ N
5. Fill in the table below with your mass (in kg) and weight (in N) on other planets. Use the acceleration due to
gravity data given.
Location
Mass (in kilograms)
Acceleration due to
Gravity (m/s2)
Sun
273
Mercury
3.7
Venus
8.9
Mars
3.7
Jupiter
25
Saturn
11
Uranus
8.9
Neptune
11.3
Pluto
0.59
Weight (in Newtons)
6. Where in our solar system would your weight be the lowest? ______________________ Where would your
weight be the highest? ________________________
7. Why would your weight be different from place to place? (Please answer in a complete sentence.)
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8. Explain why your mass does NOT change from place to place. (Use a complete sentence, please.)
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