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Weight Formula:
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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 (W = m × g). Unlike mass which is constant, weight can vary depending on the gravitational field strength.
The calculator uses the weight formula:
Where:
Explanation: On Earth's surface, standard gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s², but this value changes on other planets or celestial bodies.
Details: Understanding weight is fundamental in physics and engineering for designing structures, calculating forces, and solving mechanics problems. It's also crucial in fields like aerospace where gravitational differences affect spacecraft design.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and gravity in m/s² (9.8 m/s² for Earth). The calculator will compute the weight in newtons. Both values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What's the difference between mass and weight?
A: Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object (constant everywhere), while weight is the force exerted on that mass by gravity (varies with location).
Q2: Why is Earth's gravity 9.8 m/s²?
A: This value represents the average acceleration due to Earth's gravitational pull at its surface, varying slightly by location (9.78-9.83 m/s²).
Q3: How would my weight change on the Moon?
A: With Moon's gravity being 1.62 m/s² (about 1/6th of Earth's), your weight would be approximately 1/6th of your Earth weight.
Q4: What are common weight units?
A: In physics, newtons (N) are standard. In everyday use, pounds (lb) or kilograms-force (kgf) are common, though kilograms technically measure mass.
Q5: How is weight related to normal force?
A: When an object rests on a surface, the normal force equals the object's weight (when no other vertical forces act on it).