Question map
The weight of a body is 9.8 N at the place where g = 9.8 ms^2. Its mass is
Explanation
The relationship between weight and mass is defined by the formula W = m × g, where 'W' is weight in Newtons (N), 'm' is mass in kilograms (kg), and 'g' is the acceleration due to gravity [t1][t7]. According to the question, the weight (W) is 9.8 N and the gravitational acceleration (g) is 9.8 m/s². To find the mass, we rearrange the formula to m = W / g [t3][t7]. Substituting the given values, mass = 9.8 N / 9.8 m/s², which equals 1 kg. While mass represents the quantity of matter and remains constant, weight is the force of Earth's attraction [c1][c4]. Scientific units distinguish these clearly: mass is measured in kilograms, while weight is measured in Newtons [c1][t8]. Therefore, a body weighing 9.8 N at a location where g is 9.8 m/s² has a mass of exactly 1 kg.
Sources
- [1] https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/aerosim/LessonHS97/Massconv.html
- [2] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 9: The Amazing World of Solutes, Solvents, and Solutions > A step further > p. 142
- [3] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Exploring Forces > 5.5 Weight and Its Measurement > p. 72