# A student uses a newton-meter to measure the weight of a steel ball bearing on Earth, where the gravitational field strength is 9.8 N/kg. The same steel ball bearing is then taken to the surface of Venus, where the gravitational field strength is 8.9 N/kg. Explain why the weight of the ball bearing on Venus is different from its weight on Earth, whilst its mass remains the same.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Physics (0625) — 1.3 Mass and weight · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Weight is the gravitational force acting on an object due to a gravitational field / weight depends on gravitational field strength
2. The gravitational field strength on Venus is different (lower) than on Earth, so the gravitational force on the ball bearing is different (smaller)
3. Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in the object / mass does not depend on gravitational field strength
4. Since mass stays the same but gravitational field strength on Venus is smaller, weight on Venus is smaller (W = m × g, so a smaller g gives a smaller weight)

## Key terms

- [weight](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/weight)
- [mass](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/mass)
- [gravitational field strength](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/gravitational-field-strength)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Cambridge International IGCSE Physics (0625)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-uses-a-newton-meter-to-673b8a8d) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.