Mass is a quality of matter. Weight is what happens when an object with mass enters a gravitational field. It's an interaction between the acceleration due to gravity and the mass of an object. Weight units -- e.g., pounds -- are actually units of force.

Measured in Newtons, and I believe required as such by APA in specifying response requirements.


Even a weightless object (e.g., in space, far from a planet) has mass. Mass is more precise and technically correct, but unless you're planning to escape earth's gravitational field sometime soon, it's an irrelevant distinction in everyday use.

Michael Renner
(former HS Physics teacher, among other paths taken in a wandering youth...)

-- * PAUL K. BRANDON [EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Psychology Dept Minnesota State University * * 23 Armstrong Hall, Mankato, MN 56001 ph 507-389-6217 * * http://www.mankato.msus.edu/dept/psych/welcome.html *

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