Mass and RelativityĪccording to the theory of relativity, the gravitational mass changes the curvature of the space-time continuum. Gravitational mass and inertial mass are equivalent. Newton’s second law of mechanics refers to inertial mass. It represents the degree of resistance of the object to being accelerated.

The inertial mass of an object is the property of resisting the change in this object’s motion. An increase in the weight of the object increases its passive gravitational mass. Passive gravitational mass measures the effect of the gravitational field of another body on an object. Tides are also caused by the interaction between the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Earth. The gravitational field is what keeps the astronomical objects in place and determines the structure and the layout of the Universe. When active gravitational mass increases, the gravitational field of the object becomes stronger. Gravitational mass refers to the measure of the gravitational force experienced by the object (passive) or deployed by it (active). The Moon's mass is 7.3477×10²² kg Gravitational Mass Thus, an object with a mass of one kilogram weights approximately 9.8 newtons (N) on the Earth, and 1.63 N on the Moon. For example, in the case of Earth, g = 9.80665 m/s², and for the Moon it is about six times less, approximately 1.63 m/s². In physics, weight refers to the force that acts on an object and is calculated as a product of mass and g, the gravitational acceleration that differs depending on the astronomical object, which creates the gravitational field that the object is affected by.

In everyday use, the words “mass” and “weight” are often equivalent, both referring to mass. If the force applied to the object and its acceleration are known, we can calculate mass m using Newton’s second law of motion: F = m a, where F is the force and a is the acceleration. It is an inherent property of the object, contrast to weight, which depends on the gravitational field of the planet, where the object is located. Mass is a measure of the resistance of the object to acceleration.

Grams to kilograms