Mass vs Weight

Mode

Mission: Separate mass from weight

Change the world and observe which measurement stays constant.

1Mass

2Gravity

3Multiply

4Weight

Read the sample mass with the beam balance.

Choose one instrument

Measures mass in kilograms. This value stays the same on every world.

Choose a world

Run experiment

Controls

Sample mass20 kg

Gravity9.80 N/kg

Elevator acceleration0.0 m/s²

Simulation speed1.00×

Measurements

Mass20 kg

Gravity9.8 N/kg

True weight196 N

Scale reading196 N

Beam balance20 kg

Spring stretch39%

Mass is constant; weight depends on local gravity.

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Weight versus mass

Teacher tools

Show instrument labels Reveal calculation rule

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Accent selection applies to English. Urdu and Hindi use native speakers.

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Learning objectives

Distinguish mass from weight.
Calculate weight from mass and local gravity.
Explain why mass stays constant between worlds.
Compare beam-balance and spring-scale measurements.

Key concepts

Mass is measured in kilograms. Weight is a gravitational force measured in newtons. A beam balance compares mass, while a spring scale measures force.

Suggested experiments

Keep mass fixed and move from Earth to the Moon.
Double mass on one world and compare weight.
Set elevator acceleration upward and downward.
Compare graph slopes for Earth and Mars.

Questions for exploration

Can weight be zero while mass is not zero?
Why does a balance work on the Moon?
How does elevator motion affect apparent weight?

Quiz

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