Weight, Weightlessness and Gravity Misconceptions

Concepts

Scientific Concepts

Weight is another name for gravitational force.

Weight is the force exerted by an object against a support and is equal to the force exerted by the support on the object.

Weightlessness is never absolute, there is always some, maybe very small weight.

Gravitational force and weight being the same, decrease with increasing distance from the Earth?

Misconceptions

Weightlessness is a result of being in space.

Weightlessness only happens in a space vehicle.

Weightlessness happens with the absence of air.

Weightlessness happens when an object leaves Earth.

Emptiness or nothingness creates weightlessness.

Free fall near Earth does not have weightlessness.

There is an additional force involved with free fall.

Robert Sweetland's Notes ©