Factors Affecting Weight Gravitational pull : The weight of an object is directly proportional to the strength of the gravitational force acting on it. On Earth , the standard acceleration due to gravity is 9.81 m/s2 .Mass: The weight of an object is also directly proportional to its mass. The greater the mass, the greater the force of gravity acting on it, and hence, the greater the weight. Calculating Weight The weight of an object can be calculated using the formula:
Weight = mass × acceleration due to gravity Units of Weight The standard unit of weight in the metric system is the newton (N), while in the imperial system, it is the pound (lb) or ounce (oz).
Study Guide Here are some key points to remember when studying the concept of weight:
Understand the difference between weight and mass. Be able to calculate the weight of an object using the formula: Weight = mass × acceleration due to gravity . Practice unit conversions between different systems of measurement (e.g., newtons to pounds). Understand how weight can change in different gravitational environments (e.g., on the moon or other planets ). .