Mass, Weight & Gravity

Question 1

What does gravity do to objects on the surface of a planet?

Answer 1

It makes things accelerate towards the ground

(10m/s² on Earth)

Question 2

What does gravity give everything

Answer 2

Weight

Question 3

How does gravity keep planets, moons and satellites in their orbits?

Answer 3

The orbit is a balance of forward motion of the object and force the force of gravity pulling it inwards

Question 4

What is mass?

Answer 4

The amount of stuff’ in an object.
It has the same value anywhere in the universe.

Question 5

What is weight and what is it caused by?

Answer 5

Weight is caused by the pull of gravity.
It’s the force of gravity pulling it towards the Earth.
Weight isn’t the same everywhere.

Question 6

How is weight measured and in what units is it measured in?

Answer 6

Weight IS a force.
It’s measured in newtons and is measured using a spring balance or a newton meter.

Question 7

How is mass measured and in what units is it measured in?

Answer 7

Mass is NOT a force.
It’s measured in KG using a mass balance.

Question 8

What is the formula to find the weight of an object.

Answer 8

Weight = mass x gravitational field strength

W = mg