5.1.3-4 - Gravity & Resultant Forces

What is weight?

The force that acts on an object due to gravity and the object’s mass.

What quantities does weight depend on?

• The object’s mass.

• The gravitational field strength at the given position in the field.

How do you calculate weight?

• weight = mass × gravitational field strength

What is the unit used for weight?

Newton (N)

What is the unit used for gravitational field strength?

N/kg

What is meant by an object’s center of mass?

The single point where an object’s weight can be considered to act through.

What piece of equipment can be used to measure an object’s weight?

A calibrated spring-balance or newton-meter.

What is a resultant force?

The single force that is equivalent to all the other forces acting on a given object.