What is the key difference between mass and weight?

The key difference between mass and weight is that mass measures the amount of matter in an object, while weight measures the gravitational force acting on that object. Mass is a scalar quantity that remains constant regardless of the object's location, so it does not change whether you are on Earth, the Moon, or in space. Weight, on the other hand, is a vector quantity that depends on both the mass of the object and the gravitational acceleration acting upon it, which can vary depending on location.

For instance, an object will weigh less on the Moon than on Earth due to the Moon's weaker gravitational pull, but its mass remains the same. This distinction is crucial in understanding how physical forces and properties interact in different environments.

Considering the other options, they misrepresent the definitions of mass and weight or suggest incorrect relationships between them and the force of gravity.