Weight

on . Posted in Classical Mechanics

weight 1When you think of weight, abbreviated as W or WT, it is probably associated with mass.  But weight is not mass.  Weight is a force on an object accelerated by gravity.  The weight of an object is directly proportional to its mass and the acceleration due to gravity.  The standard acceleration due to gravity on Earth's surface is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared (m/s²) or 32.2 feet per second squared (ft/s²).  However, it's important to note that the value of g can vary depending on the location and altitude.

Weight can change based on the gravitational field strength, while mass remains constant.  For example, an object would weigh less on the Moon due to its weaker gravitational pull, but its mass would remain the same.

 

Weight formula

\( W = m \; g \)     (Weight)

\( m =  W \;/\; g \)

\( g =  W \;/\; m \)

Solve for W

mass, m
gravity, g

Solve for m

weight, W
gravity, g

Solve for g

weight, W
mass, m

Symbol English Metric
\( W \) = weight \(lbf\) \(N\) 
\( m \) = mass \(lbm\) \(kg\)
\( g \) = gravity \(ft \;/\; sec^2\) \(m \;/\; s^2\)

 

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Tags: Weight