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CAIE A-Level Physics 3.1.6 Weight in a Gravitational Field

Practise using W = mg to calculate weight, distinguishing gravitational force from mass and apparent force, and reporting direction, units and context.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Physics 9702
Level
AS

Exam points

  • Use W=mg to calculate weight from mass and acceleration of free fall.
  • Distinguish weight as a gravitational force from mass and interpret changes in gravitational field strength.
  • Report weight with correct direction, units and context.

3.1.6—The concept of weight as the effect of a gravitational field on a mass and question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

The lorry in (b) travels up a straight section of road that is inclined at an angle θ\theta to the horizontal, as shown in Fig. 3.1.

Fig. 3.1 (not to scale)

Fig. 3.1 (not to scale)

The lorry has mass m and the acceleration of free fall is g.

Determine an expression, in terms of m, g and θ\theta, for the component of the weight of the lorry that acts parallel to the surface of the road.

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