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| ==Etymology== | | ==Etymology== |
− | [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] wight, weght, from [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] wiht; akin to Old Norse vætt weight, Old English wegan to weigh | + | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] wight, weght, from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] wiht; akin to Old Norse vætt weight, Old English wegan to weigh |
− | *Date: before [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Century 12th century] | + | *Date: before [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Century 12th century] |
| ==Definitions== | | ==Definitions== |
| *1 a : the amount that a [[thing]] weighs b (1) : the [[standard]] or established amount that a thing should weigh (2) : one of the classes into which contestants in a [[sports]] event are divided according to [[body]] weight (3) : poundage required to be carried by a horse in a handicap race | | *1 a : the amount that a [[thing]] weighs b (1) : the [[standard]] or established amount that a thing should weigh (2) : one of the classes into which contestants in a [[sports]] event are divided according to [[body]] weight (3) : poundage required to be carried by a horse in a handicap race |
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| Nevertheless, the Earth's gravitational field can vary by as much as 0.5% at different locations on Earth. These variations alter the [[relationship]] between weight and mass, and must be taken into account in high precision weight [[measurements]] that are intended to indirectly measure mass. To eliminate this variation, when the weight of objects is used in [[Business|commerce]], the [[value]] given is what the objects would weigh at a nominal [[standard]] gravitational acceleration of 9.80665 m/s2 (approx. 32.174 ft/s2). Spring scales, which measure local weight, must be calibrated at the location at which the objects will be used to show this standard weight, to be legal for commerce. | | Nevertheless, the Earth's gravitational field can vary by as much as 0.5% at different locations on Earth. These variations alter the [[relationship]] between weight and mass, and must be taken into account in high precision weight [[measurements]] that are intended to indirectly measure mass. To eliminate this variation, when the weight of objects is used in [[Business|commerce]], the [[value]] given is what the objects would weigh at a nominal [[standard]] gravitational acceleration of 9.80665 m/s2 (approx. 32.174 ft/s2). Spring scales, which measure local weight, must be calibrated at the location at which the objects will be used to show this standard weight, to be legal for commerce. |
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− | The use of "weight" for "mass" also persists in some scientific terminology – for example, the [[chemical]] terms "atomic weight", "molecular weight", and "formula weight", can still be found rather than the preferred "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_mass atomic mass]" etc. | + | The use of "weight" for "mass" also persists in some scientific terminology – for example, the [[chemical]] terms "atomic weight", "molecular weight", and "formula weight", can still be found rather than the preferred "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_mass atomic mass]" etc. |
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| The difference between mass and weight is apparent when, for example: | | The difference between mass and weight is apparent when, for example: |
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| *objects are compared in different gravitational fields, such as away from the Earth's surface. For example, on the surface of the Moon, gravity is only about one-sixth as strong as on the surface of the Earth. A one-kilogram mass is still a one-kilogram mass (as mass is an intrinsic property of the object) but the downward force due to gravity is only one-sixth of what the object would experience on Earth. | | *objects are compared in different gravitational fields, such as away from the Earth's surface. For example, on the surface of the Moon, gravity is only about one-sixth as strong as on the surface of the Earth. A one-kilogram mass is still a one-kilogram mass (as mass is an intrinsic property of the object) but the downward force due to gravity is only one-sixth of what the object would experience on Earth. |
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− | *an object is immersed in a liquid or gas. For instance, a brick weighs less when suspended in water, even though its mass is unchanged, and a helium balloon in the atmosphere appears to have negative weight, even though its mass is positive.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight] | + | *an object is immersed in a liquid or gas. For instance, a brick weighs less when suspended in water, even though its mass is unchanged, and a helium balloon in the atmosphere appears to have negative weight, even though its mass is positive.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight] |
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| [[Category: Physics]] | | [[Category: Physics]] |