Conceptually I understand that mass is a measure of the amount of stuff present in an object, while weight is a measure of the force of gravity applied to that object. An object of a given mass will have a bigger weight on Earth than on the moon because Earth’s gravity is stronger. But… mass is determined by weighing an object on a scale. And there is a simple mathematical conversion between grams (mass) and pounds (weight), implying that they’re just different units for the same concept. So what gives? (Also this is a question that applies to so many fields, I had no idea which flair to apply.)
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Mass is a measurement of “amount of stuff”, and is calculated with a balance because there’s a “known mass” on the other side against which you are comparing. On earth or elsewhere, the force of gravity scales proportionally, so 1 kg mass here will balance against 1kg in whatever gravity field you’re measuring in.
Weight is a measurement of *force*, and is about how hard the objects are attracted to one another. The “standard conversion” between mass and weight only applies in standard Earth gravity. 1kg has a standard number of pounds (or Newtons), but only here. On the moon, 1kg is pulled weaker, and therefor has a lower weight. Two 1kg masses both have reduced weight on the moon, so would still balance against each other.
Mass is how much stuff. Weight is *how hard is it pulling*.
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