To understand the difference between mass and weight, we can try out some simple experiments.

1. What You Need:

• A spring scale (to check weight)
• A balance scale (to check mass)
• Objects that have a known mass

2. The Experiments:

• Measuring Mass:

  • Use the balance scale to measure how much mass an object has. The mass stays the same, and we measure it in kilograms (kg). This measurement does not change no matter where you are.

• Measuring Weight:

  • Use the spring scale to find out the weight of the same object. Weight is the force caused by gravity pulling on the object. We can figure out weight using this formula: Weight (W) = Mass (m) x Gravity (g). On Earth, gravity (g) is about 9.81 meters per second squared (m/s²).

3. Collecting Information:

• Compare what you find: The mass of the object stays the same, but the weight can change depending on how strong the gravity is in different places (like on other planets).

This helps us clearly see the difference between mass (which is a property of the object itself) and weight (which depends on gravity).