Here are ten exam-style questions and their answers related to the topic of Mass vs. Weight:
Quick View - Mass and Weight: Definition, Relationship & Differences
1) Question : Define mass and weight and explain the fundamental difference between the two.
Answer: Mass is the measure of the amount of matter in an object, while weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity. The key distinction is that mass remains constant regardless of location or external conditions, while weight varies based on the strength of the gravitational field.
2) Question: How is mass measured? How is weight measured?
Answer: Mass is typically measured using a balance or scale, comparing the object's mass to a standard mass. Weight is measured using a spring scale or a weighing scale, which determines the force exerted by an object due to gravity.
3) Question: What are the units of mass and weight?
Answer: The unit of mass is the kilogram (kg), while the unit of weight is the newton (N).
4) Question: Can an object have different masses but the same weight? Explain.
Answer: No, objects with different masses cannot have the same weight. Weight depends on the mass and the strength of the gravitational field. So, two objects with different masses will have different weights unless they are in the same gravitational field.
5) Question: Does mass change when an object is taken to the Moon? What about weight?
Answer: The mass of an object remains the same regardless of its location, including the Moon. However, the weight of an object on the Moon will be about 1/6th of its weight on Earth due to the Moon's weaker gravitational pull.
6) Question: Can the mass of an object be zero? Can the weight be zero?
Answer: The mass of an object cannot be zero as long as it contains any amount of matter. However, weight can be zero in the absence of a gravitational field, such as in outer space far away from any celestial bodies.
7) Question: How does mass affect an object's inertia?
Answer: Mass determines an object's inertia. Objects with larger masses have greater inertia, meaning they are more resistant to changes in motion.
8) Question: How does weight affect the force required to lift an object?
Answer: The weight of an object directly affects the force required to lift or move it against the force of gravity. Heavier objects require more force to lift compared to lighter objects.
9) Question: Can two objects have the same weight but different masses? Explain.
Answer: No, two objects cannot have the same weight but different masses. Weight is directly proportional to mass, and since mass determines weight, objects with different masses will have different weights.
10) Question: How do mass and weight differ in their physical interpretations?
Answer: Mass is an intrinsic property of matter and remains the same regardless of external conditions, while weight is an extrinsic property influenced by the strength of the gravitational field. Mass is associated with inertia and interactions with forces, while weight is the force of gravity acting on an object's mass.
These questions and answers should help you review and understand the key concepts and distinctions between mass and weight for your exam preparation.