Gravity plays a big role in how we understand weight and mass, but they are not the same thing.

Let’s break it down:

• Mass:

  • This is how much stuff is in an object.
  • We measure mass in kilograms (kg).
  • The cool thing is, mass stays the same no matter where you are.
  • Whether you’re on Earth, the Moon, or even floating in space, your mass doesn’t change.

• Weight:

  • Weight is how strong gravity pulls on an object.
  • We can figure out weight by using this simple formula: $W = m \times g$
    • Here, $W$ stands for weight, $m$ is mass, and $g$ is how fast gravity pulls (which is about $9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2$ on Earth).
  • Unlike mass, weight can change depending on where you are.
  • For instance, if you were on the Moon, gravity pulls much weaker.
  • So, your weight there would only be about 16.5% of what it is on Earth!

In summary, mass stays the same everywhere, but weight can change based on the strength of gravity in different places.