Weight

Weight

In science and engineering, the weight of an object is the force on the object due to gravity. Its magnitude (a scalar quantity), often denoted by an italic letter W, is the product of the mass m of the object and the magnitude of the local gravitational acceleration g; thus: W = mg. When considered a vector, weight is often denoted by a bold letter W. The unit of measurement for weight is that of force, which in the International System of Units (SI) is the newton. For example, an object with a mass of one kilogram has a weight of about 9.8 newtons on the surface of the Earth, about one-sixth as much on the Moon, and zero when in deep space far away from all bodies imparting gravitational influence.

Read more about Weight.

Famous quotes containing the word weight:

    Patience and tenacity of purpose are worth more than twice their weight of cleverness.
    Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–1895)

    The hurt is not enough:
    I long for weight and strength
    To feel the earth as rough
    To all my length.
    Robert Frost (1874–1963)

    Now mark me how I will undo myself.
    I give this heavy weight from off my head,
    And this unwieldy sceptre from my hand,
    The pride of kingly sway from out my heart.
    With mine own tears I wash away my balm,
    With mine own hands I give away my crown.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)