Mass, Weight and Gravity

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental definitions and differences between mass and weight, their behavior on Earth and the Moon, and the instruments used to measure them.

Mass

The amount of matter in an object.

Weight

The force of gravity acting on mass.

Mass (Location)

Stays the same whether an object is on Earth or the Moon.

Weight (Moon)

Is less on the Moon because the gravitational field strength is less on the Moon.

Gravitational field strength

The factor that determines the force of gravity acting on a mass and is less on the moon than on the Earth.

Mass balance

The measuring instrument that measures mass.

Spring balance

A measuring instrument that measures weight.

Newton meter

A measuring instrument that measures weight, equivalent to a spring balance.

Force of gravity

Another term for weight acting on a specific mass.

Matter

What mass represents the amount of in an object.