Weight of Objects in Space: Explained in Layman's Terms

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of weight and how it is perceived in different scenarios, particularly in relation to gravity and muscle fatigue. Participants explore the idea of whether an object's weight feels different when held at various heights or over time due to physical exertion.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a 20-pound weight feels heavier when held at a height compared to standing on the ground, suggesting a misunderstanding of gravitational force.
  • Another participant clarifies that gravitational force is constant over short distances and only decreases over large distances, referencing Newton's law of gravity.
  • A participant expresses confusion about the perception of weight over time when holding a dumbbell, asking if it is solely due to muscle fatigue or if gravity plays a role.
  • One response asserts that the feeling of increased weight is due to muscle fatigue rather than a change in gravitational force, comparing it to the experience of running long distances.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the perception of weight in relation to height and time. While some agree that muscle fatigue is a primary factor in the feeling of increased weight, others question the role of gravity in these scenarios. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the initial question about weight perception at different heights.

Contextual Notes

Participants' assumptions about gravitational force and muscle fatigue are not fully explored, and there is a lack of consensus on how these factors interact in the perception of weight.

AGC8
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First. I'm not a high school student studying physics. Has been decades since I was. I just have a basic question about "object's weight in space". So please excuse my vocab if I don't use the right wording and if you could explain it to me in layman's terms. Not as a student of physics.

My question is...if you held a 20 pound weight to your side standing on the ground and did so again hanging from a gymnastic bar parallel to the ground 20 feet up...would the weight not feel heavier because gravity is pulling it to the ground?

If you had this same 20-lb weight in your hand and climbed a ladder would it not get progressively heavier?

Thanks guys.
 
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Welcome to PF!

I'm not clear on how your thought process, but no, over short distances, the gravitational force is constant. Over large distances, it decreases (see Newton's law of gravity equation).
 
russ_watters said:
Welcome to PF!

I'm not clear on how your thought process, but no, over short distances, the gravitational force is constant. Over large distances, it decreases (see Newton's law of gravity equation).

Ok Thanks Russ. I just assumed a weight would "feel heavier" the higher it is off the ground. As I said. It's been decades since I opened a physics book. Nor was I a science buff in school. Thanks for not going too "Big Bang Theory" on me. I'm not a student of physics obviously. Just thought this would be one of the best places to ask.

Maybe you (or anyone else here) could answer a similar question...if you were holding a 30-lb dumbell in one hand standing on the ground..why would it feel heavier over time? Besides muscle fatigue. Is it simply that gravity is constantly pulling the weight towards the ground?
 
AGC8 said:
if you were holding a 30-lb dumbell in one hand standing on the ground..why would it feel heavier over time? Besides muscle fatigue. Is it simply that gravity is constantly pulling the weight towards the ground?
Why would the answer be anything other than muscle fatigue? If gravity is constantly pulling the weight downward then its downward force is constant.
 
The feeling in your muscles is due to fatigue, the muscles get "tired". There is no change in the weight.
Same as running for a long time. It feels harder to run the last meters but this is not due to something pulling you back harder as you move away from your starting point.
 

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