CRITICAL THINKING: The term ”weight” in physics has the following very specific meaning:
“The weight of an object is the name given to a particular force: the gravitational force exerted by the earth on the object, giving it an acceleration of 9.8 m/s2 near the surface of Earth.”
In ordinary speech the use of “weight” is nowhere nearly so precise. What, if anything, is wrong with the following statements? Explain, and correct the statements to become scientifically accurate if they are incorrect.
a) A 3-kg object has a weight of about 30 N at the surface of Earth.
b) A 120-lb person weighs about 55 kg.
c) An astronaut orbiting Earth experiences weightlessness
d) If you eat too much you may gain weight.
1 answer
a) the earth exerts a force called gravitational force on every particle on its surface.. The force of gravity has a value of 9.8 or 10 meters per second square when approximated . Also weight is the product of the mass of the object by the downward force acting on it (gravitational force)... So [ 3Kg * 10 m/s2 = 30 Newton ]
1 answer