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Weight

Definition

Weight refers to the gravitational force acting on an object. It is the measure of how heavy an object is and depends on both the mass of the object and the acceleration due to gravity.

Analogy

Think of weight as your backpack pulling you down when you're climbing up a hill. The heavier your backpack, the stronger the pull (weight) you feel.

Related terms

Mass: The amount of matter in an object, which remains constant regardless of location.

Normal Force: The support force exerted by a surface that prevents an object from falling through it.

Frictional Force: A resistive force that opposes motion when two surfaces are in contact with each other.



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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.