Question

A stone would have the same mass whether it is on the surface of Earth or on the surface of the moon. However, it's __________ depends on its location.

a) Mass
b) Weight

Answer 1

The weight of an object depends on its location, while mass remains constant regardless of location. Weight is a measure of force and is influenced by the gravitational pull on an object. On the moon, objects weigh less compared to Earth due to the weaker gravitational force.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mass is often confused with the term weight. Weight is a measure of force that is equal to the gravitational pull on an object. The weight of an object is dependent on its location. On the moon, the force due to gravity is about one sixth that of the gravitational force on Earth. Therefore, a given object will weigh six times less on Earth than it does on the moon. Since mass is dependent only on the amount of matter present in an object, mass does not change with location. Weight measurements are often made with a spring scale, by reading the distance that a certain object pulls down and stretches a spring.