FM1 - Mass, weight and gravity

Question 1

What is gravity?

Answer 1

The force of attraction between all masses

Question 2

What three things does gravity affect?

Answer 2

• It makes all objects accelerate towards the ground on the surface of the planet
• It gives everything weight
• It keeps planets, moons and satellites in their orbit

Question 3

What is the orbit?

Answer 3

The balance between the forward motion of the object and the force of gravity pulling it inwards

Question 4

What is mass?

Answer 4

The amount of “stuff” in an object

Question 5

What is weight?

Answer 5

The pull of gravity on every object (towards the centre of the earth)

Question 6

Will an object have the same mass and weight on the earth and moon?

Answer 6

It will have the same mass on the earth and moon but different weight

Question 7

Why will 1.6N on the Moon weight less than it does on Earth which is 10N?

Answer 7

The forces of gravity pulling on the moon are less

Question 8

What is weight measured in?

Answer 8

Newtons (N)

Question 9

What is mass measured in?

Answer 9

Kilograms (kg)

Question 10

What links weight, mass and gravity together?

Answer 10

The equation:

Weight = mass x gravitational field strength 
W = m x g

Question 11

What is the value of ‘g’ on earth and the moon?

Answer 11

Earth - 10 N/kg

Moon - 1.6 N/kg