Gravitational Field Strength
Physics: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 8.1.2
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.
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).
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.
Test yourself on Gravitational Field Strength
Changing Weights
What is the weight of an object equal to?