Weight

Definition

Weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity. It is calculated as the product of an object's mass and the acceleration due to gravity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Weight is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.
2. The formula for weight is $W = mg$, where $m$ is mass and $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity.
3. Weight varies depending on the gravitational field strength, unlike mass which remains constant.
4. The standard unit of weight in the International System of Units (SI) is the Newton (N).
5. An object's weight can change if it moves to a location with a different gravitational field strength, such as moving from Earth to the Moon.

Review Questions

• What is the formula used to calculate weight?
• How does weight differ from mass?
• Why does an object weigh less on the Moon than on Earth?

Related terms

Mass:

A measure of the amount of matter in an object, typically measured in kilograms (kg).

Newton (N):

The SI unit of force, defined as the force required to accelerate a one-kilogram mass by one meter per second squared.

$g$ (Acceleration due to Gravity): $g$ represents the acceleration imparted to objects due to Earth's gravitational pull, approximately $9.81 \text{m/s}^2$ at sea level.