Mass vs Weight
Distinguish between mass (amount of matter, measured in kg) and weight (gravitational force, measured in N), use the equation weight = mass × gravitational field strength, and explain why g differs on other planets and stars
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Mass vs Weight means practising the idea at the table with a simple hands-on check. We will demo once, then your child tries.
Materials: A small toy car or ball; A ramp or book stack and a ruler. 1. Say the goal of Mass vs Weight in plain words once. 2. Adult gives one gentle push and one stronger push, then compares how far the object travels. 3. Child tries three push or pull trials and records which force made a bigger change. 4. Fresh check: one fresh push/pull comparison. Record and stop. Done: three recorded trials with a clear force comparison. Proof: parent note of examples and results. Stop: End after the fresh check; keep optional challenge for another day.
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Learning resources
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PhET Interactive Simulations · Practice link — not the full lesson
Gravity Force Lab
Before you open · source notes
Gravity Force Lab supports hands-on exploration for Mass vs Weight. Not every lab worksheet.
Free interactive page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner what they changed in the sim or page and what they observed.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public PhET Interactive Simulations page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
PhET Interactive Simulations. “Gravity Force Lab.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
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Check understanding
- Explains the difference between mass and weight with correct units for each
- Calculates weight using W = mg with g = 10 N/kg on Earth
- Predicts what would happen to an object's weight on the Moon or Jupiter
- Explains why mass stays constant but weight changes in different gravitational fields
“If your child weighed themselves on bathroom scales and was then asked what they would weigh on the Moon, could they explain the difference between mass and weight and work out a rough answer?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Forces & Motion
- Age range
- Ages 11–12
Standards