Weight and Gravity (GCSE Physics)
Weight and Gravity
Weight and Gravity
The Link Between Weight and Gravity
- Weight is the force on an object due to gravity. Without gravity, objects would just have mass. With gravity, objects have a force pulling them down due to their mass; this is the weight of an object.
- The gravitational field is responsible for the force of gravity close to Earth. Around the earth, there is a gravitational field which pulls objects down. Anything with mass experiences this gravitational pull, including objects (e.g. a chair) and living things (e.g. humans).
Calculating Weight
Formula for Weight
We can calculate weight using a simple formula:
Where:
- Weight (W) is in newtons (N)
- Mass (m) is in kilograms (kg)
- Gravitational field strength (g) in newtons per kilogram, N/kg.
Question: A car has a mass of 1600kg. Calculate the weight of the car on Earth, assuming the gravitational field strength is 9.8 N/kg.
1. Write the equation.
W = mg
2. Put in the numbers.
W = 1600 x 9.8
W = 15,680 N
Still got a question? Leave a comment
Leave a comment