What is the definition of weight in physics?

Weight in physics is defined as the force exerted by gravity on an object. This force is dependent on two factors: the mass of the object and the acceleration due to gravity acting on it. The equation that describes this relationship is ( W = mg ), where ( W ) is the weight, ( m ) is the mass of the object, and ( g ) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately ( 9.81 , \text{m/s}^2 ) on the surface of the Earth).

This definition highlights that weight is a force, measured in newtons (N), and it varies depending on the gravitational field strength. For example, an object will weigh less on the Moon than on Earth, despite its mass remaining constant, due to the Moon's weaker gravitational pull.

The other definitions provided do not capture the essence of weight. The notion of matter refers to mass, which represents how much substance is in an object. Resistance to change in motion is more aligned with inertia, which does not pertain to weight. Lastly, energy contained in an object typically refers to potential, kinetic, or thermal energy, which are distinct concepts from weight. Each of these definitions falls short of encapsulating the