3 Ways to Calculate Weight from Mass

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3 Ways to Calculate Weight from Mass
3 Ways to Calculate Weight from Mass
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The weight of an object is the force of gravity exerted on that object. There mass of an object is the quantity of matter of which it is made. The mass does not change, no matter where the object is and regardless of the force of gravity. This explains why an object that has a mass of 20 kilograms will have a mass of 20 kilograms even on the moon, even if its weight will be reduced to 1/6 of its initial weight. On the moon, it will only weigh 1/6 because the force of gravity is very small compared to the earth. This article will give you useful information to calculate the weight from the mass.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Calculating the Weight

Step 1. Use the formula "w = m x g" to convert weight to mass

Weight is defined as the force of gravity on an object. Scientists represent this phrase in the equation w = m x g, or w = mg.

  • Since weight is a force, scientists write the equation as F = mg.
  • F. = weight symbol, measured in Newton, No..
  • m = symbol of mass, measured in kilograms, o kg.
  • g = symbol of the acceleration of gravity, expressed as m / s2, or meters per second squared.
    • If you use the meters, the acceleration of gravity on the earth's surface is 9, 8 m / s2. This is the unit of the International System, and most likely the one you normally use.
    • If you are using the feet because it was assigned to you so, the acceleration of gravity is 32.2 f / s2. It is the same unit, simply transformed to reflect the unit of feet rather than meters.

    Step 2. Find the mass of an object

    As we are trying to gain weight, we already know the mass. Mass is the amount of matter possessed by an object, and is expressed in kilograms.

    Step 3. Find the acceleration of gravity

    In other words, find g. On earth, g is 9.8 m / s2. In other parts of the universe, this acceleration changes. Your teacher, or your problem text, should indicate where the gravity is exerted from.

    • The acceleration of gravity on the moon is different from that on earth. The acceleration due to gravity on the moon is about 1,622 m / s2, which is almost 1/6 of the acceleration here on earth. That is why on the moon you will weigh 1/6 of your earth weight.
    • The acceleration of gravity on the sun is different from that on the earth and the moon. The acceleration due to gravity on the sun is about 274.0 m / s2, which is almost 28 times the acceleration here on earth. That's why you would weigh 28 times on the sun what you weigh here (assuming you can survive on the sun!)

    Step 4. Enter the numbers into the equation

    Now that you have m And g, you can put them into the equation F = mg and you will be ready to continue. The number you get should be in Newton, or No..

    Part 2 of 3: Examples

    Step 1. Solve question 1

    Here is the question: "" An object has a mass of 100 kilograms. What is its weight on the earth's surface? ""

    • We have both m is g. m is 100 kg, while g is 9.8 m / s2, as we are looking for the weight of the object on the earth.
    • So let's write our equation: F. = 100 kg x 9, 8 m / s2.
    • This will give us our final answer. On the surface of the earth, an object with a mass of 100 kg will have a weight of about 980 Newtons. F. = 980 N.

    Step 2. Solve question 2

    Here is the question: "" An object has a mass of 40 kilograms. What is its weight on the surface of the moon? ""

    • We have both m is g. m is 40 kg, while g is 1.6 m / s2, as this time we are looking for the weight of the object on the moon.
    • So let's write our equation: F. = 40 kg x 1, 6 m / s2.
    • This will give us our final answer. On the surface of the moon, an object with a mass of 40 kg will have a weight of about 64 Newton. F. = 64 N.

    Step 3. Solve question 3

    Here is the question: "" An object weighs 549 Newtons on the earth's surface. What is its mass? ""

    • To solve this problem, we need to work backwards. We have F. And g. We need to m.
    • We write our equation: 549 = m x 9, 8 m / s2.
    • Instead of multiplying, we're going to divide here. In particular, we divide F. for g. An object, which has a weight of 549 Newtons, on the earth's surface will have a mass of 56 kilograms. m = 56 kg.

    Part 3 of 3: Avoid Mistakes

    Write a Two Page Essay Quickly Step 5
    Write a Two Page Essay Quickly Step 5

    Step 1. Be careful not to confuse mass and weight

    The main mistake made in this type of problem is to confuse mass and weight. Remember that mass is the amount of "stuff" in an object, which remains the same regardless of the position of the object itself. The weight instead indicates the force of gravity acting on that "stuff", which instead can vary. Here are a couple of tips to help you keep the two units distinct:

    • Mass is measured in grams or kilograms - either massa che gra mmor contain an "m". Weight is measured in newtons - both pes or that newt orn contain an "o".
    • You have a weight only as long as pesyou feet on Earth, but also i maxtronauts have a mass.
    Write a Two Page Essay Quickly Step 21
    Write a Two Page Essay Quickly Step 21

    Step 2. Use scientific units of measure

    Most physics problems use newtons (N) for weight, meters per second (m / s2) for the force of gravity and kilograms (kg) for the mass. If you use a different unit for one of these values, you can not use the same formula. Convert the measures to scientific notation before using the classical equation. These conversions can help you if you're used to using imperial units:

    • 1 pound force = ~ 4, 448 newtons.
    • 1 foot = ~ 0,3048 meters.
    Write Flash Cards Step 4
    Write Flash Cards Step 4

    Step 3. Expand Newtons to Check Units If you are working on a complex problem, keep track of units as you work your way through the solution

    Remember that 1 newton is equivalent to 1 (kg * m) / s2. If necessary, make the replacement to help you simplify the units.

    • Example problem: Antonio weighs 880 newtons on Earth. What is its mass?
    • mass = (880 newtons) / (9, 8 m / s2)
    • mass = 90 newtons / (m / s2)
    • mass = (90 kg * m / s2) / (m / s2)
    • Simplify: mass = 90 kg.
    • The kilogram (kg) is the usual unit of measurement for mass, so you have solved the problem correctly.

    Appendix: weights expressed in kgf

    • Newton is a unit of the International System (SI). Weight is often expressed in kilogram-force or kgf. This is not a unit of the International System, therefore less precise. But it can be useful for comparing weights anywhere with weights on earth.
    • 1 kgf = 9, 8166 N.
    • Divide the calculated number in Newtons by 9, 80665.
    • The weight of an astronaut of 101 kg is 101.3 kgf at the North Pole, and 16.5 kgf on the moon.
    • What is an SI unit? It is used to denote the Systeme International d'Unites (International System of Units), a complete metric system used by scientists for measurements.

    Advice

    • The hardest part is understanding the difference between weight and mass, which are commonly confused with each other. Many use kilograms for weight, instead of using Newtons, or at least the kilogram-force. Even your doctor may be talking about weight, when he is referring to the mass instead.
    • Personal scales measure mass (in kg), while dynamometers measure weight (in kgf), based on the compression or expansion of springs.
    • The acceleration of gravity g can also be expressed in N / kg. Precisely 1 N / kg = 1 m / s2. The values therefore remain the same.
    • The reason why Newton is preferred over kgf (even though it seems so convenient) is that many other things are more easily calculated if you know Newton's numbers.
    • An astronaut with a mass of 100 kg will have a weight of 983.2 N at the North Pole, and 162.0 N on the moon. On a neutron star, it will weigh even more, but it probably won't be able to notice.

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