PHYS 2211 Module 5.4

Mass and Weight

Recommended Reading

5.4 Mass and Weight

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Explain the difference between mass and weight
  • Explain why falling objects on Earth are never truly in free fall
  • Describe the concept of weightlessness

Weight and Gravitational Force

Discuss!

Consider how you would answer these questions. Then bring this to class for a group discussion.

A rock with a weight of 200 N is being pulled upward with an acceleration of 3 m/s2.

(a) What is the mass of the rock?

(b) What is the net force?

(c) What is the magnitude of the applied upward force?