7. Mass

Atomic mass unit:

Mass of a proton, neutron and electron can be determined using an atomic mass unit (amu).

 

 

In our daily life, do we use the word mass?
 
For example, we would not ask, what your mass is? But, we would ask, what your weight is?
 
So, what is the difference between mass and weight? Now let us see the difference between these two terms.

 

S.No	Differentiating property	Mass	Weight
1	What it is?	Mass is the quantity of matter contained in a body.	The weight of an object is relevant to the force acting on the object. The force can be either gravity or a reaction force that holds it in place.
2	Is it changeable?	The mass of an object is a constant value, and it does not vary by the changes of gravity and place.	Weight has the capability to change from place to place.
3	Quantity	The mass is the fundamental quantity.	The weight is the derived quantity.
4	Scalar/Vector	The mass is the scalar quantity	Weight is the vector quantity
5	How can you measure it?	The mass is measured by the physical balance instrument.	Weight is measured using a spring balance instrument
6	Unit	Kilogram	Newton

 

 

We know that, the SI unit of mass is kilogram; in our day to day, life we generally use the term ‘weight’ that represents ‘mass’. Many things are measured in terms of ‘mass’ in the commercial world.

 

Using the below instruments, we can determine the mass of an object: