Measuring Matter
Expressing Weight, Mass, and Volume
Mass is the amount of matter in an object. The mass of an object doesn’t change even if the force of gravity upon the object changes. Volume is the amount of space that matter occupies. Every form of matter has volume. Mass and Volume are both used to measure matter.
Weight
Weight is a measure of the force of gravity on an object. The force of gravity depends on the mass of the planet/moon where the object is weighed. The moon has less mass than the Earth, therefore on the moon, you would weigh about one-sixth of what you weigh here on Earth. On Jupiter, you would weigh more than twice what you weigh here on Earth because it has more mass than Earth.
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While weight changes depending on gravity, mass is not affected by it. This is why matter is described in terms of mass instead of weight. Scientists use a measuring system called the International System of Units (SI), which uses kilograms as mass units. In the U.S., we use pounds to measure weight, so we convert them into kilograms when the force of gravity is known. Sometimes, the smaller unit grams are used to measure mass.
Volume
The volume of a solid is measured in the SI units of cubic meters (m3), cubic centimeters (cm3), or cubic millimeters ( mm3). The volume of liquids is measured in liters (L) and milliliters (mL). Gases do not have a volume of their own because their particles fill their containers, but are measured by the units of their container. To calculate volume, you use the formula Length x Width x Height.
Density and Temperature
Density is a function of mass and volume, which makes it a physical property. Increasing or decreasing the amount of a substance won’t change its density. The only thing density is affected by is temperature. An increase in temperature will cause the substance to become less dense and the decrease in temperature causes the substance to become more dense. Water sometimes follows this rule, although it doesn’t get less dense when it gets warmer. Water condenses when it gets colder but decreases when it cools below 4°C.
Using Density
Density is an intrinsic property of matter (doesn’t change with the shape of an object) and can be used to identify substances. Gold for example has a density of 19.3 g/cm3. To find density, you divide mass and volume.
Expressing Weight, Mass, and Volume
Mass is the amount of matter in an object. The mass of an object doesn’t change even if the force of gravity upon the object changes. Volume is the amount of space that matter occupies. Every form of matter has volume. Mass and Volume are both used to measure matter.
Weight
Weight is a measure of the force of gravity on an object. The force of gravity depends on the mass of the planet/moon where the object is weighed. The moon has less mass than the Earth, therefore on the moon, you would weigh about one-sixth of what you weigh here on Earth. On Jupiter, you would weigh more than twice what you weigh here on Earth because it has more mass than Earth.
MassDe
While weight changes depending on gravity, mass is not affected by it. This is why matter is described in terms of mass instead of weight. Scientists use a measuring system called the International System of Units (SI), which uses kilograms as mass units. In the U.S., we use pounds to measure weight, so we convert them into kilograms when the force of gravity is known. Sometimes, the smaller unit grams are used to measure mass.
Volume
The volume of a solid is measured in the SI units of cubic meters (m3), cubic centimeters (cm3), or cubic millimeters ( mm3). The volume of liquids is measured in liters (L) and milliliters (mL). Gases do not have a volume of their own because their particles fill their containers, but are measured by the units of their container. To calculate volume, you use the formula Length x Width x Height.
Density and Temperature
Density is a function of mass and volume, which makes it a physical property. Increasing or decreasing the amount of a substance won’t change its density. The only thing density is affected by is temperature. An increase in temperature will cause the substance to become less dense and the decrease in temperature causes the substance to become more dense. Water sometimes follows this rule, although it doesn’t get less dense when it gets warmer. Water condenses when it gets colder but decreases when it cools below 4°C.
Using Density
Density is an intrinsic property of matter (doesn’t change with the shape of an object) and can be used to identify substances. Gold for example has a density of 19.3 g/cm3. To find density, you divide mass and volume.
