What is the weight of an object in space where gravity is negligible?

Prepare for the NCEA Level 2 Physics Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

When considering the weight of an object, it's important to understand that weight is the gravitational force acting on that object. Weight is calculated using the formula:

[ \text{Weight} (W) = \text{mass} (m) \times \text{gravitational field strength} (g) ]

In space, particularly in regions far from any massive celestial bodies, the gravitational field strength can be extremely low, often approaching zero. In such environments, the force of gravity is negligible, meaning that the gravitational field strength is effectively zero.

Since weight is directly dependent on the gravitational field strength, if the gravitational field strength is zero, the weight of any object in that area will also be zero. Consequently, regardless of the mass of the object, if the gravitational pull is negligible, it will not exert any weight.

This understanding confirms that in a scenario where gravity is negligible, the weight of the object would indeed be zero, making the correct answer the case where the weight is 0N.

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