Which of the following best describes the relationship between weight and mass?

• A. Weight and mass are always numerically equal, regardless of location.
• B. Mass depends on gravity, while weight is a constant property of matter.
• C. Weight is measured in kilograms, while mass is measured in newtons.
• D. Weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity and is equal to mass multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity (W = mg).

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definitions: Mass is the amount of matter in an object and is a scalar quantity, while weight is the force exerted on that object due to gravity and is a vector quantity.
2. Recall that mass is constant regardless of location and is measured in kilograms (kg), whereas weight depends on the local gravitational field strength and is measured in newtons (N).
3. Use the formula that relates weight and mass: \(W = m \times g\), where \(W\) is weight, \(m\) is mass, and \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity.
4. Recognize that because \(g\) can vary depending on location (for example, on the Moon versus Earth), weight changes with location, but mass remains the same.
5. Conclude that weight is not numerically equal to mass unless the gravitational acceleration is 1 m/s², and that weight depends on gravity while mass does not.