The term weight is often confused with that of mass. The weight of an object is proportional to its mass. The proportionality constant, g, has the dimensions of an acceleration: W=mg.
On the earth's surface, the above values are referred to as the gravitational acceleration. This value is constant near the earth's surface. In other words, we use weight to represent the mass of the object times the acceleration due to gravity (W = mg). The units of weight are newtons (SI units) or pounds (English units). Weight is a vector, having both magnitude and direction. The direction of the weight of an object is always toward the center of the earth (straight down).
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© April, 1998, Montana State University-Bozeman
