Weight

Weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity. It is a measure of the gravitational force acting on an object. The weight of an object can vary depending on the gravitational pull at the location where the object is placed.

Key Concepts

• Force of Gravity: Weight is the force of gravity acting on an object. On Earth, the force of gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s².
• Mass: Weight is often confused with mass, but they are different. Mass is the amount of matter in an object, while weight is the force exerted on the object due to gravity.
• Units: The standard unit of weight is the Newton (N) in the SI system, or the pound (lb) in the imperial system.

Calculating Weight

The weight of an object can be calculated using the formula:

Weight (W) = mass (m) x acceleration due to gravity (g)

Study Tips

1. Understand the difference between weight and mass. Weight depends on the force of gravity, while mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object.
2. Practice using the formula for calculating weight. Make sure to use the correct units for mass and acceleration due to gravity.
3. Explore how weight varies on different planets and celestial bodies with different gravitational forces.
4. Be familiar with the units of weight and how to convert between different systems (e.g., Newtons to pounds).