Question

The SI unit of weight is the same as that of:
A.) Mass
B.) Pressure
C.) Acceleration due to gravity
D.) Force

Answer 1

Hint: Use the following expression to get a clear idea about weight\[\text{weight = mass }\times \text{ acceleration due to gravity}\]. It is similar to the equation of force.

Complete step by step answer:
Weight is a measure of gravitational attraction towards an object. It depends on the object and the medium.
\[\text{weight = mass }\times \text{ acceleration due to gravity}\]
This is similar to the force.
\[\text{Force = mass }\times \text{ acceleration}\]

Hence both have the same units. Newton is the SI unit of force. Therefore, Newton is the SI unit of weight.

So, the option (D) is correct.

Additional information:
We can’t understand weight without the proper knowledge about mass. Mass is a measurable quantity to know about the amount of substance. But the mass of an object does not care about where the object is located. That is, it won’t change with the medium. It will show the same quantity even if we are measuring it on the moon. Its unit is Kg. The mass is a scalar quantity. All massive objects possess a property known as inertia. The inertia is a kind of reluctance of the object to change its state of rest or motion. Force is necessary to overcome inertia. The greater the mass, the greater the inertia and it depends on the mass, not one the weight.

The weight of an object will vary according to the gravitational force experienced by the object. That’s why we are experiencing less weight on the moon, since the gravity on the moon is about \[1/6th\] of earth. The weight is a vector quantity.
Consider the case of astronauts. In space they feel weightless because they aren’t forced against the floor, but they still have mass.

Note: Do not confuse mass and weight. We use both terms to represent the quantity of matter in real life, but this is entirely wrong if we are looking through science perspective. Weight and force are similar. That’s why their units are the same.