What are the differences between mass and weight?

Question

Accepted Answer

The terms mass and weight are often interchangeably, which is entirely wrong. There are several differences between the two.

Basis of Differentiation
Mass
Weight

Definition
Is the measure of the amount of matter present in a body

Is the measure of the amount of force acting on a body due to gravity or in other words, the measure of how strongly gravity pulls on that body

Effect of external factors
Is an intrinsic measure of an object and is independent of external factors – it remains constant at all times
Is an extrinsic property of an object and is affected by the mass that is attracting it and as well as the force of attraction (gravity) -  varies depending on gravity at a particular place

Effect of gravity
Is not affected by gravity
Is hugely affected by gravity

Method of measurement
Is measured using various types of balance scales such as a triple-beam balance, pan balance, lever balance or electronic balance, which balance the body of interest equally with another known amount of mass 
Is measured using a scale spring balance that effectively measures the pull on the mass exerted by the earth’s gravity

Unit of Measurement
Mass is expressed in kilogram (kg), grams (g), and milligram (mg).
Weight is expressed in Newton (N)

Type of physical quantity 
Is a scalar quantity – has only magnitude but no direction
Is a vector quantity – has both magnitude and direction, which is towards the center of the earth

Basis of Differentiation	Mass	Weight
Definition	Is the measure of the amount of matter present in a body	Is the measure of the amount of force acting on a body due to gravity or in other words, the measure of how strongly gravity pulls on that body
Effect of external factors	Is an intrinsic measure of an object and is independent of external factors – it remains constant at all times	Is an extrinsic property of an object and is affected by the mass that is attracting it and as well as the force of attraction (gravity) - varies depending on gravity at a particular place
Effect of gravity	Is not affected by gravity	Is hugely affected by gravity
Method of measurement	Is measured using various types of balance scales such as a triple-beam balance, pan balance, lever balance or electronic balance, which balance the body of interest equally with another known amount of mass	Is measured using a scale spring balance that effectively measures the pull on the mass exerted by the earth’s gravity
Unit of Measurement	Mass is expressed in kilogram (kg), grams (g), and milligram (mg).	Weight is expressed in Newton (N)
Type of physical quantity	Is a scalar quantity – has only magnitude but no direction	Is a vector quantity – has both magnitude and direction, which is towards the center of the earth

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