How to calculate the mass of an object from its weight?

The mass of an object can be calculated from its weight by dividing the weight by the acceleration due to gravity.

In more detail, weight is a measure of the force exerted on an object due to gravity. It is calculated by multiplying the mass of the object by the acceleration due to gravity. Therefore, if you know the weight of an object and the value of gravity, you can calculate the mass.

The formula to calculate mass from weight is:

Mass = Weight / Acceleration due to gravity

The unit of weight is the Newton (N), and the unit of mass is the kilogram (kg). The acceleration due to gravity on Earth is approximately 9.8 m/s². So, if you have an object with a weight of 98 N, its mass would be 98 N / 9.8 m/s² = 10 kg.

Remember, weight can change depending on where in the universe the object is, because the force of gravity can vary. However, mass is a fundamental property of an object and does not change regardless of location.

It's also important to note that when we talk about 'weight' in everyday life, we're often actually referring to mass. For example, when you step on a scale, it's measuring your weight, but it's calibrated to give you a reading in kilograms, which is a unit of mass. This works because the scale assumes you're on Earth, where the acceleration due to gravity is a constant 9.8 m/s². If you were to use the same scale on the moon, where gravity is about 1/6th as strong, it would give you a much lower reading, even though your mass hasn't changed.