The SI unit of weight is the newton (N). Weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity, and it is calculated by multiplying the mass of the object (measured in kilograms) by the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s² on the surface of the Earth).
In more detail, the relationship can be expressed by the formula:
Weight (W) = Mass (m) × Gravitational Acceleration (g)
For example, if you have an object with a mass of 10 kg, its weight would be:
W = 10 kg × 9.81 m/s² = 98.1 N
This means that on Earth, a 10 kg mass would exert a force of approximately 98.1 newtons downwards due to gravity.
It’s important to note that weight can vary depending on the location due to differences in gravitational pull. For instance, an object would weigh less on the Moon than on Earth because the Moon has only about 1/6th of Earth’s gravitational force.
In scientific contexts, using the correct unit of weight is crucial for accuracy and consistency, making the newton the preferred unit of measure in physics and engineering.