2. Gravity

Available for over a year

This podcast series is all about forces. In this episode, James Stewart and Ellie Hurer explore gravity, gravitational field strength, weight and how to use an equation to calculate them. Suitable for: AQA, Edexcel, OCR. For more information on gravity, check out the BBC Bitesize website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zgncjty/revision/1 Key learning objectives discussed in this episode: - Weight is the force acting on an object due to gravity. The force of gravity close to the Earth is due to the gravitational field around the Earth. - The weight of an object depends on the gravitational field strength at the point where the object is. - The weight of an object can be calculated using the equation: weight = mass × gravitational field strength - weight, W, in newtons, N - mass, m, in kilograms, kg - gravitational field strength, g, in newtons per kilogram, N/kg (In any calculation the value of the gravitational field strength (g) will be given.) - The weight of an object may be considered to act at a single point referred to as the object’s centre of mass. - The weight of an object and the mass of an object are directly proportional. - Weight is measured using a calibrated spring-balance (a newton meter).