Mass and weight

Mass

the amount of matter in an object

Weight

force acting on an object due to gravity

Relationship between weight and mass

weight of an object is directly proportional to its mass

The equation linking weight, mass and gravitational field strength

W = mg

W

The symbol for weight

m

The symbol for mass

g

The symbol for gravitational field strength (gravity)

Unit for gravitational field strength

Newtons per kilograms (N/kg)

Centre of mass

The single point that the weight of an object may be considered to be acting at

Newton meter

calibrated spring-balance used to measure an object's weight