Why Does Gravity Affect Weight?

AI Thread Summary
Weight is determined by the gravitational pull of the Earth on an object, which is influenced by the object's mass. According to Newton's law of gravitation, the force of gravity between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This explains why a heavier object, like a bowling ball, experiences a greater gravitational pull compared to a lighter object, such as an apple. Therefore, an increase in body mass results in a greater weight due to the stronger gravitational force acting on it. Understanding these principles is essential for grasping basic physics concepts.
QTip
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hi. I'm an absolute noob at physics, so I went to the library and checked out a couple beginner books. Basic Physics: A self-teaching guide and Science 101 Physics.

I'm just getting started reading physics 101 and read the following statement:

"...all you have to do to determine your weight is step on a scale. What is actually being measured in this case is the gravitational pull of the Earth on your body."

It then goes on to talk about your weight on other planets, etc.

I'm wondering why the Earth pulls harder on me when I'm fatter. I hope that question makes sense. I just can't see why the gravitational pull is greater for a bowling ball than it is for an apple.

Thanks for any clarification.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You said you are starting physics now...So start it and go on further you get to know why it is on your..

from Newton's gravitational law , gravity between two objects proportional to the product of the masses directly and inversly to the square of the distance between them,.,,,
So you conclude why a ball is pulled with greater force that an apple or why you weigh more when you are fatter...(means more mass)
 
Thread 'Gauss' law seems to imply instantaneous electric field'

Thread 'Gauss' law seems to imply instantaneous electric field'

Imagine a charged sphere at the origin connected through an open switch to a vertical grounded wire. We wish to find an expression for the horizontal component of the electric field at a distance ##\mathbf{r}## from the sphere as it discharges. By using the Lorenz gauge condition: $$\nabla \cdot \mathbf{A} + \frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial t}=0\tag{1}$$ we find the following retarded solutions to the Maxwell equations If we assume that...
View full post »

Thread 'Do electron density waves accompany EM waves in coaxial cables?'

Maxwell’s equations imply the following wave equation for the electric field $$\nabla^2\mathbf{E}-\frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial^2\mathbf{E}}{\partial t^2} = \frac{1}{\varepsilon_0}\nabla\rho+\mu_0\frac{\partial\mathbf J}{\partial t}.\tag{1}$$ I wonder if eqn.##(1)## can be split into the following transverse part $$\nabla^2\mathbf{E}_T-\frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial^2\mathbf{E}_T}{\partial t^2} = \mu_0\frac{\partial\mathbf{J}_T}{\partial t}\tag{2}$$ and longitudinal part...
View full post »

Similar threads

B Help Scaling Gravity Simulation
Replies
7
Views
2K
I Child's experiment to weigh air
2
Replies
59
Views
6K
I Calculating your weight in an elevator
Replies
24
Views
3K
B Why Is an Object's Weight Equal to the Force of Gravity It Experiences?
2
Replies
51
Views
4K
B Hi, I'm learning physics -- Why do things near me not fall toward me?
Replies
12
Views
1K
I How Does Changing Mass and Spring Force Affect Watch Oscillators?
Replies
11
Views
2K
A question on The Nature of Gravity in relation to close proximity to earth
Replies
21
Views
4K
Engineering Help With Mass and Weight Units
Replies
7
Views
2K
I Same old question, I still don't get it: E=1/2mv^2 - more E with V?
Replies
41
Views
4K
B Sum up Questions for Gravitational Waves & Weighing Scales
Replies
5
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top