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gcse_forces_massweight
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GCSE Physics Topics
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gcse_forces_massweight
Table of Contents
Mass and Weight
Why do we have weight?
Factors affecting weight
The formula!
Mass and Weight
Mass is how much of you there is. It is measured in kg and is a scalar. It does not change from place to place.
Weight is how hard the force of gravity pulls on you. It is measured in N (it is a force!) and is a vector. It does change from place to place.
Why do we have weight?
The force of gravity pulls you towards the centre of the Earth.
On Earth, the gravitational field strength is 10 N/kg.
This means that for every kg of mass you have, 10 N of force is pulling you towards the centre of the Earth…
On the Moon the gravitational field strength is only 1.6 N/kg. The same mass has less weight on the moon than it does on Earth.
In space there is no gravity. You are weightless!
Factors affecting weight
Your weight is bigger if:
You have more mass
You are in a stronger gravitational field.
The formula!
Weight = mass x gravitational field strength
Mass = weight divided by gravitational field strength
Gravitational field strength = weight divided by mass
gcse_forces_massweight.txt
· Last modified: 2017/11/05 20:41 by
rheadi
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