How to Calculate Weight and Mass on Different Planets

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video clarifies the fundamental difference between mass and weight, concepts often confused in daily life but distinct in physics. Through clear explanations and practical examples involving astronauts and space travel, the video demonstrates that while mass (the amount of matter) remains constant regardless of location, weight (the force of gravity) changes depending on the gravitational pull of the planet or moon one is standing on. The content walks students through the mathematical relationship between these concepts using Newton's Second Law. It derives the formula w = mg from F = ma and guides viewers through step-by-step calculations. Students learn to calculate weight on Earth, in deep space, and on the Moon, emphasizing the importance of significant figures and unit conversions between Newtons and pounds. Teachers can use this video to introduce forces and gravity or to reinforce algebra skills within a science context. The step-by-step problem-solving sections are particularly valuable for modeling how to show work in physics problems, handle units properly, and apply mathematical concepts to real-world (and off-world) scenarios.