Forces in action ________________________________________________________________ 13. Forces around us: weight
There are lots of examples of forces all round us. However, there are 2 forces, weight and friction, that are always present in our daily lives.
WEIGHT
• Weight is the force of gravity on a body.
• We call a body´s weight the force with which the Earth attracts the body.
• Weight = mass multiplied cy acceleration due to gravity. W = m · g
• This follows directly from F = m a.
• Near the surface of the Earth, g = 9.8 m/s2.
• The acceleration due to gravity on the Moon is much lower than on the Earth’s surface (a = 1,6 m/s2), so, the weight of bodies on the Moon is less than on the Earth´s surface.
Do you know the difference between Mass and Weight? Watch this video to understand the concepts of mass and weight!