Question

The weight of an object
A. is the quantity of the matter it contains
B. refers to its inertia
C. is same as its mass but is expressed in different units
D. is the force with which it is attracted towards the earth

Answer 1

Hint As we know, there are basically two types of quantities: scalar and vector quantities. All the quantities are divided into these two quantities. Scalar quantities are those quantities, which have only magnitude, example- mass, speed, pressure, etc. Vector quantities are those which have both magnitude and directions as well, example- weight, velocity, thrust, etc.

Complete Step by step solution
The quantity of matter present within a defined space is called mass. This quantity is universally the same at every place. That means it is the same if we go to the moon or on another planet. Also, the inertia of the body is the measure of the body and not its weight. And also mass is a scalar quantity whereas weight is a vector quantity. Hence they both cannot be the same.
As we know that every planet has its own gravitational force by the virtue of which it attracts every object lying on or near the surface of the earth. This force has the name of gravity. It’s S.I unit is Newton$'N'$. It is the function of gravity at a place and hence it is variable from place to place.

Hence, the correct option is (D). is the force with which it is attracted towards the earth.

Note Sometimes we neglect the difference between scalar quantity and vector quantity. We should always be aware of the vector quantities and the direction associated with it. For example:- weight is both force and vector quantity and its direction is towards the centre of the earth at every place on earth.