Why are kilograms used to measure weight and mass?

Subject: Why are kilograms used to measure weight and mass?

Date: Tue Aug 12 14:37:36 1997
Posted by Tom Williams
Grade level: 10-12
School: Cardinal O'Hara H.S.
City: Springfield State/Province: PA
Country: UUSA
Area of science: Physics
ID: 871414656.Ph

Message:

A big deal is made about the difference between mass and weight. The pound is used to measure weight while grams are used to measure mass on the balance. Newtons are used to measure weight while grams are used to measure mass. Why then do packages have conversions from our pounds to grams? As my Dad would have said, "That is mixing apples and oranges."

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