SPACE - Weight, Mass and Gravity Flashcards
(20 cards)
What does gravity apply to?
All masses
Why don’t objects on Earth get pulled towards each other?
Gravitational pull is only noticeable for very large objects like planets or stars.
What two effects does gravity have?
- Makes all objects fall to the ground
- Gives everything weight.
What is mass?
The matter (“stuff”) that makes up an object.
What is mass measured in?
Kilograms (kg)
What happens to the mass of an object in different parts of the universe (e.g. on another planet)?
Nothing, the mass of an object remains the same everywhere in the universe.
What is weight?
A force caused by gravity acting on a mass.
What is weight measured in?
Newtons (N)
How can we measure the weight of an object?
Using a spring balance/Newton meter.
What happens to the weight of an object in different parts of the universe (e.g. on another planet)?
It changes depending on the gravitational field strength.
What is the relationship between gravitational field strength and weight?
The stronger the gravitational field strength, the larger the weight.
The weaker the gravitational field strength, the smaller the weight.
What is the relationship between gravitational field strength and the distance from the source?
The closer you are to the object with the gravitational pull, the stronger the gravitational field strength.
The further you are from the object with the gravitational pull, the weaker the gravitational field strength.
What is gravitational field strength measured in?
N\kg
Where does weight act on an object?
Weight acts from the centre of mass of an object.
How can we calculate the weight of an object?
Weight (N) = Mass (kg) x Gravitational field strength (N/kg)
How can we calculate the mass of an object?
Mass (kg) = Weight (N) / Gravitational field strength (N/kg)
How can we calculate the gravitational field strength?
Gravitational field strength (N/kg) = Weight (N) / Mass (kg)
What is the gravitational field strength of Earth?
9.8 N/kg
What does it mean if two things are “directly proportional”?
When two things are directly proportional, if one thing increases/decreases, the other thing increases/decreases by the same rate.
What is the relationship between mass and weight?
Mass and weight are directly proportional.
If you double the mass of an object, the weight also doubles.
If you triple the weight of an object, the mass also triples.
