Final answer:
Weight is a force influenced by gravity, while mass is a measure of an object's quantity of matter. In everyday life, it is more common to use units like kilograms or pounds to refer to weight, rather than newtons.
Step-by-step explanation:
In everyday conversation, weight and mass are often used interchangeably. However, in physics, weight is actually a force, while mass is a measure of an object's quantity of matter. Weight depends on the gravitational force exerted on an object, while mass remains constant regardless of location.
When referring to weight, it is more common to use units such as kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb) instead of newtons (N), which is the SI unit for force. This is because people are more familiar with weight as a measurement of how heavy something is rather than as a force.
For example, if someone weighs 54 kg, it means that the force of gravity acting on their body is equivalent to 540 newtons. However, in everyday life, it is easier to understand and communicate weight using units like kilograms.