Topic 2B - Describing Structures

Question 1

What does mass literally mean?

Answer 1

How much matter is in an object or a measure of the number of atoms/particles in the object

The basic unit of measurement for mass is the kilogram (kg).

Question 2

What is the basic unit of measurement for mass?

Answer 2

kilogram (kg)

Mass is not just size; it also depends on the number of tightly packed particles.

Question 3

What is the difference between mass and weight?

Answer 3

• Mass: Amount of matter in an object
• Weight: Force the object directs downward on what it is standing on

Weight depends on the object’s mass and the strength of the force of gravity.

Question 4

True or false: Weight is measured in kilograms.

Answer 4

FALSE

Weight is a force and is measured in Newtons (N).

Question 5

What is the formula to calculate weight?

Answer 5

Weight = Mass (kg) x Strength of Gravity

The gravitational field strength on Earth is approximately 10 N/kg.

Question 6

What is a force?

Answer 6

A push or a pull

Every force has a magnitude (size/strength) and a direction.

Question 7

What happens to an astronaut’s mass on different planets?

Answer 7

It remains the same

Mass never changes regardless of location in the universe.

Question 8

How does an astronaut’s weight change on different planets?

Answer 8

It changes based on the strength of gravity

For example, an astronaut would weigh ~1/6th as much on the moon due to weaker gravity.

Question 9

What is the strength of gravity on Earth?

Answer 9

10 N/kg

This value is essential for calculating weight from mass.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: ______ grams ÷ 1000 = ______ kilograms.

Answer 10

Mass in grams

This conversion is necessary for small objects measured in grams.

Question 11

If an object has a mass of 278.5 grams, what is its mass in kilograms?

Answer 11

0.2785 kg

This is calculated by dividing 278.5 grams by 1000.

Question 12

What is the weight of an object with a mass of 0.2785 kg on Earth?

Answer 12

2.785 N

Calculated using the formula: Weight = Mass x Strength of Gravity.

Question 13

What is the relationship between mass and particles?

Answer 13

Mass depends on the amount of particles only

This means mass is the same anywhere in the universe.

Question 14

What is the effect of gravity on weight?

Answer 14

Weight changes based on the strength of gravity

It also depends on how far apart two objects are.