The solar system - CCEASummary

The solar system consists of the Sun surrounded by planets, comets and asteroids in orbit. Most planets in the solar system have moons in orbit around them.

Part ofCombined ScienceEarth in space

Summary

Summary

MassWeight
Measured in kilogrammes kgMeasured in newtons N
A measure of the amount of matterThe force of gravity acting on the object
Never changesVaries from place to place
MassMeasured in kilogrammes kg
WeightMeasured in newtons N
MassA measure of the amount of matter
WeightThe force of gravity acting on the object
MassNever changes
WeightVaries from place to place
On Earth, an astronaut has a mass of 120 kg. His weight is 120 x 10 = 1200 N. On the moon his mass is still 120 kg but his weight is only 200 N.
Figure caption,
A 120 kg astronaut weighs less on the Moon than on Earth

More guides on this topic