The Relationship Between Weight and Acceleration Due to Gravity

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 128 views

Introduction

The concept of weight and acceleration due to gravity is a fundamental aspect of physics that has been extensively studied and applied in various fields. Weight is a measure of the force exerted on an object by gravity, while acceleration due to gravity, denoted by 'g', is the rate at which an object falls towards the ground. In this article, we will explore the relationship between weight and acceleration due to gravity, and use a real-world example to calculate the value of 'g' on a mountain peak.

The Relationship Between Weight and Acceleration Due to Gravity

The weight of an object is given by the formula:

W = mg

where W is the weight of the object, m is its mass, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. This formula shows that the weight of an object is directly proportional to its mass and the acceleration due to gravity.

Calculating the Value of 'g' on the Mountain Peak

Let's consider the example given in the problem statement. A boy weighs 400N on the surface of the earth, but his weight reduces to 360N on a mountain peak. We can use this information to calculate the value of 'g' on the mountain peak.

Step 1: Calculate the Mass of the Boy

We know that the weight of the boy on the surface of the earth is 400N. We can use this information to calculate his mass.

W = mg

400 = m × g

We know that the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the earth is approximately 9.8 m/s^2. We can use this value to calculate the mass of the boy.

m = W / g = 400 / 9.8 = 40.82 kg

Step 2: Calculate the Value of 'g' on the Mountain Peak

Now that we have the mass of the boy, we can use the information given in the problem statement to calculate the value of 'g' on the mountain peak.

W = mg

360 = 40.82 × g

We can now solve for 'g'.

g = W / m = 360 / 40.82 = 8.81 m/s^2

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the relationship between weight and acceleration due to gravity, and used a real-world example to calculate the value of 'g' on a mountain peak. We have shown that the weight of an object is directly proportional to its mass and the acceleration due to gravity, and have used this formula to calculate the value of 'g' on the mountain peak.

Understanding the Factors that Affect the Value of 'g'

The value of 'g' is affected by several factors, including the mass of the object, the distance from the center of the earth, and the density of the earth. The mass of the object affects the weight of the object, while the distance from the center of the earth affects the acceleration due to gravity. The density of the earth affects the value of 'g' by changing the mass of the earth.

The Effect of Altitude on the Value of 'g'

The value of 'g' decreases with altitude due to the decrease in the mass of the earth below. This is because the mass of the earth decreases as you move away from its center. As a result, the acceleration due to gravity also decreases.

The Effect of Latitude on the Value of 'g'

The value of 'g' also varies with latitude due to the Earth's slightly ellipsoidal shape. The Earth is slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator, which affects the acceleration due to gravity. The value of 'g' is highest at the equator and lowest at the poles.

The Effect of the Earth's Rotation on the Value of 'g'

The Earth's rotation also affects the value of 'g' by creating a centrifugal force that acts perpendicular to the direction of gravity. This force is strongest at the equator and weakest at the poles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the value of 'g' is affected by several factors, including the mass of the object, the distance from the center of the earth, the density of the earth, altitude, latitude, and the Earth's rotation. Understanding these factors is essential for accurately calculating the value of 'g' in different locations.

References

[1] Halliday, D., Resnick, R., & Walker, J. (2013). Fundamentals of physics. John Wiley & Sons.
[2] Serway, R. A., & Jewett, J. W. (2018). Physics for scientists and engineers. Cengage Learning.
[3] Tipler, P. A. (2015). Physics for scientists and engineers. W.H. Freeman and Company.