8.1.2

Gravitational Field Strength

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Changing Weights

Gravity varies with mass, so the acceleration due to gravity, g, is smaller for a smaller object. Weight depends on g, so your weight is less on a smaller object. You weigh less on the Moon than on the Earth.

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Acceleration due to gravity

  • The acceleration due to gravity, g, varies depending where you are.
  • The larger the body of mass, the larger the gravitational pull.
  • The value of g is therefore larger on the Earth than on the Moon (the Earth is bigger than the Moon).
Illustrative background for WeightIllustrative background for Weight ?? "content

Weight

  • The weight of an object is its mass multiplied by g.
  • Therefore, the weight of an object varies depending on where you are.
  • Because the Moon has a smaller mass than the Earth, and therefore has a smaller value of g, your weight on the Moon is less than your weight on Earth.

Jump to other topics

1Forces & Motion

1.1Basics of Motion

1.2Forces

1.3Effects of Forces

1.4Stopping Distance

1.5Forces & Elasticity

2Electricity

3Waves

4Energy Resources & Energy Transfers

5Solids, Liquids & Gases

6Magnetism & Electromagnetism

7Radioactivity & Particles

8Astrophysics

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