Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Weight
Weight is the force exerted by gravity on an object, calculated as the product of mass and the acceleration due to gravity. It is given by the formula W = mg, where W is weight, m is mass, and g is approximately 9.81 m/s² on the surface of the Earth. For a 60 kg passenger, their weight can be determined by multiplying their mass by the gravitational acceleration.
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Mass
Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, typically measured in kilograms. Unlike weight, mass does not change regardless of the object's location in the universe. It is a scalar quantity and is fundamental in determining the weight of an object when combined with the acceleration due to gravity.
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Gravitational Acceleration
Gravitational acceleration is the acceleration experienced by an object due to the force of gravity. On Earth, this value is approximately 9.81 m/s², meaning that an object will accelerate downwards at this rate if in free fall. This constant is crucial for calculating weight, as it directly influences the force exerted on an object by gravity.
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Weight Force & Gravitational Acceleration