GCSE Physics Revision — Weight & Mass
Revise Weight & Mass for GCSE Physics with a topic explanation, worked example and common mistakes. Check the board notes for specification differences.
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What is Weight & Mass?
Mass is the amount of matter in an object, measured in kilograms (kg). It is a scalar quantity and is the same everywhere. Weight is the force of gravity acting on an object, measured in Newtons (N). It is a vector quantity and depends on the gravitational field strength (g). The formula linking them is Weight = Mass x Gravitational Field Strength (W=mg).
Board notes: A fundamental distinction required by all GCSE Physics boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR).
Step-by-step explanationWorked examples
Worked example
An astronaut has a mass of 80kg. The gravitational field strength on Earth is 9.8 N/kg and on the Moon is 1.6 N/kg. Calculate her weight on Earth and on the Moon. Solution: Weight on Earth = 80kg x 9.8 N/kg = 784 N. Weight on the Moon = 80kg x 1.6 N/kg = 128 N.
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Common mistakes
- 1Using the terms mass and weight interchangeably. They are different quantities. Mass is a measure of inertia, while weight is a force.
- 2Forgetting that weight changes depending on the gravitational field strength. An object has the same mass on Earth and the Moon, but its weight is much less on the Moon.
- 3Using the wrong units. Mass is in kg, weight is in N, and gravitational field strength is in N/kg.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between mass and weight?
Mass is the amount of 'stuff' in an object and is measured in kg. Weight is the force of gravity on that object and is measured in N. Your mass is constant, but your weight can change.
What is the value of g on Earth?
The gravitational field strength, g, on the surface of the Earth is approximately 9.8 N/kg. For simplicity in GCSE calculations, it is often rounded to 10 N/kg.