Common Misconceptions

⚠️ Common Misconceptions

Misconception 1: "Mass and weight are the same thing"

Mass and weight are completely different. Mass is the amount of matter (kg, constant everywhere). Weight is a gravitational force (N, varies with location). A 70 kg astronaut still has mass 70 kg on the Moon but weighs only 112 N instead of 700 N.

Misconception 2: "An object needs a force to keep moving"

This is Aristotle's wrong idea, not Newton's! Once an object is moving and there are NO resultant forces on it, it continues at the same velocity forever. Objects slow down because of friction and air resistance — opposing forces — not because "motion needs a force."

Misconception 3: "Non-contact forces don't really push or pull"

Gravity, magnetism, and electrostatic forces are just as real as contact forces — they just don't require physical contact. Gravity pulls you toward Earth's centre right now with a force equal to your weight. Non-contact forces can do work and cause acceleration exactly like contact forces.